May 26, 2009
cheers to 40 years
Watch sparks fly when two tremendous musical minds meet Jeffrey Kahane and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Christopher Theofanidis is “an unusually skilled, communicative composer” (The Baltimore Sun), and Jonathan Biss brings intensity and prowess beyond his years to his playing. Our season of celebration closes with more fireworks—two challenging pieces that highlight the “imagination, humor and taken-for-granted virtuosity… [that makes LACO] a delight to hear.” Los Angeles Times
“What impresses me about Theofanidis…is his ability to blend several musical languages once thought to be mutually exclusive…there are elements of Asian music, minimalism, high chromaticism, and a sort of brightly colored impressionism…the results are enormously attractive.” The Washington Post
Biss’s “playing was supple, poised, and glistening in sonority.” Cleveland Plain Dealer on Biss’s debut with the Cleveland Orchestra
The Los Angeles Times’ Rick Shultz attended the concert on Saturday night at the Alex Theatre and commended LACO for its “riveting precision,” “bravura playing” and its memorable “elegance and warmth.” Read the rest of Shultz’s review here
Enjoy LACO’s newbie blogger’s thoughts as the season comes to a close