January 18, 2012
orchestral
Nigel Armstrong returns to Los Angeles this weekend performing with LACO under the direction of principal cello Andrew Shulman.
A violinist since 5 1/2, Armstrong is a rapidly rising artist whose placing fourth among violinists (the highest ranking American) at the 2011 Tchaikovsky International Competition has placed him on a rapid ascent. He reminisces with Brian Lauritzen about winning Best Performance of the Commissioned Work, John Corigliano’s Stomp at the Competition, the Little Fiddlers of Sonoma and his long history with the Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 that he performs this weekend.
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December 07, 2011
concert preludes
Soloist Ralph Kirshbaum recalls his experience as a young cellist at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and his early exposure to the composer’s Rococo Variations. Now the Gregor Piatigorsky Chair in Violoncello at USC’s Thorton School of Music, Kirshbaum makes his LACO debut this weekend with the same piece, which he calls a lesson in stylistic balance. His performance with the Orchestra also previews the inaugural Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, which Kirshbaum created with the USC Thornton School of Music and the LA Phil in partnership with The Colburn School and LACO to bring together masters of the cello and young cellists from around the world for a unique celebration of the cello, its music, and its musicians.
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November 04, 2011
concert preludes
David Shostac chats with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen about Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. Shostac has performed with LACO for 36 years and has played the concertos beyond count, each time creating what he calls a “festival of sound”. Listen in to the conversation and learn more about LACO’s burgeoning golden age, personified by this weekend’s concerts.
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October 13, 2011
orchestral
How do you fit a double bass and a surf board into one car? Nico Abondolo discusses his two loves, playing jazz, recording movie soundtracks and auditioning for LACO with Brian Lauritzen. Listen in.
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October 12, 2011
concert preludes
Festive 15 continues with Illumination on October 15 and 16. Jeffrey Kahane discusses highlights of this weekend’s concerts, including Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony and the performance’s connection to Daniel Pearl World Music Days.
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September 08, 2011
orchestral
LACO music director Jeffrey Kahane shares with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen insider details on this year’s special guest conductor, feature artists and premiere compositions taking place during the second half of the 2011-12 Orchestral Series.
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August 31, 2011
orchestral
Emotions run high as Jeffrey Kahane talks to KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen about celebrating his 15th anniversary as LACO music director and the first half of this year’s festive Orchestral Series.
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May 10, 2011
orchestral
LACO’s composer-in-residence Derek Bermel discusses the creative process behind his sound investment commission, Mar de Setembro (“September Sea”) with Brian Lauritzen. The piece will receive its world premiere this Saturday, May 14 at 8 pm at the Alex Theatre and Sunday, May 15 at 7 pm at UCLA’s Royce Hall as part of LACO’s Orchestral Series.
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April 25, 2011
westside
In this podcast, LACO concertmaster and Westside Connections curator Margaret Batjer discusses the appearance of her brother, neurosurgeon Hunt Batjer on the Music and the Mind series finale, including exploring new scientific discoveries demonstrating that experiencing music may contribute to the production of new brain cells throughout life. Listen to Margaret’s insights on the subject, and join us for the concert on April 28.
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April 12, 2011
orchestral
USC graduate student Mary Reed joins KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen for a discussion about how she got her starts as a double bassist and what she is thinking the week of rehearsals and concerts ahead where she will perform alongside LACO musicians as a part of the Orchestra for the April 16 & 17 Beethoven’s Emperor concerts.
After you listen to this podcast, you can learn more about Mary and her appearance with LACO on her blog interview with LACO newbie blogger, David Garcia.
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