May 13, 2013
As a toddler, Alisa Weilerstein felt an immediate connection to the cello. The family story goes that when Alisa was sick and her parents were away, her grandmother made her a string quartet out of cereal boxes. Young Alisa took to the cello and never looked back, joining her parents’ rehearsals with her Rice Krispies cello until she was four years old and graduated to a real instrument with lessons.
Alisa Weilerstein joins LACO’s latest podcast, sharing this antidote and more with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen. She performs Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 this weekend with LACO and recounts her early days of performance, making her concert debut at fourteen and how Rostropovich inspires her to commission new works.
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March 21, 2013
Although this weekend’s LACO concert, Mostly Baroque, seems innocent enough — Bach, Mozart, Handel, Stravinksy — it is actually an evening of performance tour de force. Margaret Batjer shares highlights of the evening with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen in our latest podcast, including Jeffrey Kahane performing and conducting the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and principal flute David Shostac who performs Mozart’s “Gran Partita” and the Brandenburg Concerto. The two also discuss what make Baroque music so popular and how it has endured almost 400 years later.
Listen in! To learn more about the performance, click here.
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February 20, 2013
Jeffrey Kahane goes behind the scenes of the Discover series in a fascinating podcast with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen. On Saturday, February 23, Kahane takes audiences into the music of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, followed by a performance of the work with LACO, which Kahane conducts from the piano.
In this podcast, Kahane divulges the importance of this work to him personally and professionally, discusses how stunningly original the Concerto was to the audience at its premiere and explores the Orpheus myth associated with the work, while commenting on the 100-year old debate about whether music has a story to tell audiences in the first place.
Join Kahane and Lauritzen for this podcast before you take in the latest instillation of LACO’s popular Discover series.
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January 24, 2013
Preparing to perform with one of the world’s foremost conductors is no easy undertaking. Jo-Michael Scheibe, USC Thornton School of Music’s Chair of the Department of Choral and Sacred Music rose to the occasion with the USC Thornton Chamber Singers. In LACO’s latest podcast, KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen discusses with Scheibe the ensemble’s rehearsal methods, his personal preparation and why this version of Mozart’s Requiem is unique.
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December 07, 2012
LACO principal clarinet Joshua Ranz joins KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen for an in-depth discussion about the famous clarinet glissando or “gliss” that opens Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Ranz sheds light on the complex technical and improvisational elements behind the well-known musical phrase. He likens the moment to the classic children’s game, “Shoot the Moon” that requires the player to shoot a metal ball to the end of the board, using only two metal rods. Both skill and a sense of “feeling” are required to score the most points. Similarly, a clarinetist has to have the experience and the knowledge of their throat and instrument in order play that classic opening.
Listen in as Ranz discusses how he teaches the work to his students that makes even the most experienced clarinetist nervous.
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November 08, 2012
Composer/conductor Benjamin Wallfisch discusses coming from a musical family, writing music for movies vs. the concert hall and conducting your own composition, with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen. Invited by music director Jeffrey Kahane two years ago to conduct LACO, Wallfisch was also commissioned to compose a Violin Concerto for assistant concertmaster Tereza Stanislav. She give the world premiere with the Orchestra this weekend as part of Beethoven’s Second.
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October 04, 2012
Music director Jeffrey Kahane, who celebrates his “sweet sixteen” with LACO this season, discusses the highlights of the Orchestral Series with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen.
Not-to-miss performances include:
—Jefrrey Kahane conducting/playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
—Helmuth Rilling’s January 26 & 27 performances of Mozart’s Requiem and the seldom played Symphony No. 39.
— Augustin Hadelich’s LACO debut at the series opening concerts on Oct 6 & 7.
—The world premiere of composer-in-residence Andrew Norman’s Sound Investment composition at Concertos: Handel & Mozart in April.
—And many more! Click here to view the full schedule.
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April 19, 2012
Often cited as a cross-disciplinary musician, Gabriel Kahane is more a musician with no borders. He not only crosses genres, he helps bring down the boundaries between them, cleverly fusing elements of multiple styles into one uniquely his own.
KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen discusses Gabriel’s stance on music genres and his emotional ties to places, reflected in his songs.
Listen-in to learn more about this rapidly rising young composer, who is conducted by his father, Jeffrey Kahane, for the first time this weekend. Tickets to LACO’s final 2011-12 season Orchestral Series concert are still available online.
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March 06, 2012
Sound Investment composer Timothy Andres discusses the world premiere of his LACO commission, Old Keys with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen. This original work is paired with Andres’ re-composition of Mozart’s “Coronation” Concerto for two evenings as part of LACO’s Orchestral Series. Old Keys receives its premiere on Saturday, March 24 at 8 pm at Alex Theatre in Glendale and Sunday, March 25 at 7 pm at Royce Hall, UCLA.
Listen-in to learn more about both works and to hear Timo’s recommendation for a post-concert meal.
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February 21, 2012
LACO principal bassoon Kenneth Munday reflects on his years with the Orchestra and his love for the Baroque master, Bach, with KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen.
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