he famed Hollywood Bowl, permanent home to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has been a beloved American entertainment center since 1920. Last June a Gala Celebration and concert paid tribute to the landmark and established the first annual Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame Awards. A Yamaha Disklavier® CFIIIS and a "performance" by George Gershwin were an integral part of the star-studded evening.

The first inductees into the Hall of Fame — singer/ songwriter Garth Brooks and Oscar-winning composer/conductor John Williams — set a high standard of professional achievement for subsequent honorees.

Highlights of the evening included performances by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Conductor John Mauceri, featuring a Disklavier performance by George Gershwin, with an orchestral accompaniment written by Ron Goldstein. A disk of Gershwin's original piano rolls for "Swanee River" was played on the Disklavier, with just a press of a button.

"'Swanee' was selected from a list of available compositions because it's basically a one-tempo piece, which made it favorable for orchestral accompaniment," says Steve Linder, manager, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and manager of artistic planning. "We wouldn't be able to do this kind of programming at the Hollywood Bowl without the Disklavier. It's a bit eerie," he adds, "watching the keys move up and down with no one playing the piano."

"I wish I had a Disklavier at home," Linder admits. "I don't play piano but I would love to sit and listen to it play by itself. It's wonderful!"

Additional performances and presentations were made by Christine Aguilera, whose pianist, Ron Fair, accompanied her singing "At Last" on the Disklavier; Rodney Gilfry; Nancy Wilson; Glen Campbell; Jeff Goldblum; Richard Dreyfus; Penn & Teller; and, of course, Brooks and Williams.

A portion of the evening's proceeds was designated for the Philharmonic's Youth Music Education and Community programs.