Beverly Hills International Music Festival Rises Anew, Marking Memory and Resistance Through Classical Sound

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Beverly Hills International Music Festival, a cherished cultural event interrupted by global challenges, is set to make its highly anticipated return in April 2025. After a four-year hiatus that began in 2020, the festival is poised to once again fill the historic halls of Greystone Mansion and Gardens with the power of classical music.

Under new direction, the festival’s revival signals a renewed commitment to both artistic excellence and poignant commemoration, focusing its programming on international classical performers and themes of memory, particularly the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide.

A Festival Interrupted and Reborn

The Beverly Hills International Music Festival was initially established in 2004 by Ukrainian conductor and violinist Gregory Cherninsky, intended as a dual platform for performance and educational enrichment. For years, it served as a significant fixture in the Southern California cultural landscape.

However, the festival faced significant setbacks, leading to its cancellation since 2020. These challenges were primarily attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted live performances worldwide, coupled with funding difficulties that impacted many arts organizations.

Now, the festival embarks on a new chapter under the leadership of Veronica Bell, who assumes the role of director. Bell’s vision for the revitalized festival emphasizes not only the return of high-caliber classical music but also its profound capacity to serve as a vehicle for historical remembrance and contemporary reflection.

Commemorating History Through Harmony

The programming for the 2025 festival is deeply intertwined with significant historical anniversaries. A central focus is the commemoration of the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide, utilizing the universal language of music to explore themes of suffering, resilience, and memory.

The festival is scheduled to feature concerts on two consecutive evenings: April 24 and April 25, 2025. Both performances are slated to begin at 7 p.m. and will take place at the stunning and historically resonant Greystone Mansion and Gardens.

The Significance of April 24

The opening night, April 24, holds particular historical weight. This date coincides with Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, a global day of mourning and commemoration. Furthermore, the concert on this specific evening will also recognize a crucial 80th anniversary: the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp, which occurred in April 1945.

Veronica Bell highlighted the deliberate timing and thematic focus, articulating the importance of commemorating these monumental events through artistic expression. She described this approach as a form of “resistance through art,” emphasizing music’s ability to confront history and inspire hope.

The April 24 concert program is set to feature a selection of powerful compositions by internationally acclaimed composers. The repertoire will include works by Nicola Piovani, known for his evocative film scores; the legendary John Williams, composer of some of the most iconic film music in history; the renowned Armenian composer Arno Babajanian; and his equally celebrated compatriot, Aram Khachaturian. These pieces, spanning various styles and emotional depths, will be performed by the Shell Piano Trio, promising an evening of profound musical expression.

Pianist Shushana Hakobyan, a member of the performing ensemble, underscored the vital role of music in conveying truth and emotion. She stated, “Music is a universal language, and we use it to tell the truth.” This sentiment encapsulates the festival’s mission to use musical performance as a means of speaking truth to power and preserving historical memory.

A Return to Greystone

The choice of Greystone Mansion and Gardens as the venue adds another layer of significance to the festival’s return. The historic estate provides an elegant and intimate setting for classical performances, allowing audiences to connect with the music and the historical themes in a unique environment. The performances at 7 p.m. on both April 24 and April 25 will leverage the beauty and atmosphere of this iconic Beverly Hills location.

While specific program details for the April 25 concert were not immediately available, the focus remains on presenting high-quality classical music performed by international artists, continuing the festival’s legacy while embracing its renewed thematic direction.

The return of the Beverly Hills International Music Festival marks a significant moment for the local and international cultural community. After years of silence, the festival’s revival, guided by its new director and centered on themes of memory, resistance, and the enduring power of music, promises a moving and essential contribution to the arts landscape in 2025.