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The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Presents Baroque Conversations
January 14, 2008
THE LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS
BAROQUE CONVERSATIONS
THURSDAY, FEB. 14, AT 7 PM (ZIPPER CONCERT HALL)
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra commences its three-part 2008 Baroque Conversations music and discussion series with an evening of Bach on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 7 pm in Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School. Acclaimed oboist Allan Vogel serves as both a soloist and the evening’s host, Margaret Batjer leads the Orchestra and is featured on violin, and soprano Elissa Johnston is showcased in two cantatas. The program begins with Bach’s Cantata No. 202, “Wedding Cantata” and continues without intermission with his Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe and Cantata No. 84, “Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke” (“I am content in my good fortune”). As is customary of the Baroque Conversations series, the musicians introduce each piece from the stage. A question-and-answer session concludes the evening. Complimentary wine and water is served to all ticket holders from 6 pm to allow patrons to meet and mingle with others who share their passion for Baroque music before the concert begins.
The Baroque Conversations series explores the genesis of orchestral music in a comfortable, acoustically superior environment. Each concert highlights LACO’s leading players performing masterworks in the intimate setting of Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School in downtown LA. Artists comment on the works from the stage. Following the performance, performers and audience members engage in a musical discussion in a relaxed, conversational setting. The Baroque Conversations series continues on April 10 and May 8.
Series tickets, which include all three concerts, can be purchased for $99 by calling the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at 213 622 7001 × 215. Tickets to individual concerts ($37) may be purchased by phone at 213 622 7001 × 215 or, if any remain, at the venue box office on the night of the concert. Beginning on January 7, tickets to individual concerts may be purchased online at laco.org.
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Baroque Conversations concert series is made possible by Warner and Carol Henry, Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. G. Ronus, a Friend of LACO and Joyce and Mal Fienberg. LACO also thanks all of the generous donors who met the Warner and Carol Henry Challenge. Additional support for the concert on February 14 is provided by the E. Nakamichi Foundation. The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra recognizes Guggenheim Partners and Lufthansa German Airlines as official sponsors, and Pierre’s Fine Pianos and Fazioli as the organization’s official piano supplier and piano.
Hailed as “an aristocrat of his instrument” (Los Angeles Times) and “undoubtedly one of a few world masters” (San Diego Union), Allan Vogel is one of America’s leading wind soloists and chamber musicians. Principal oboist of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout the country and has been featured at the Marlboro, Santa Fe, Aspen, Mostly Mozart, Summerfest, Sarasota, Oregon Bach, Music @ Menlo and Chamber Music Northwest festivals. Vogel has been guest principal oboist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for concerts in the major European capitals, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Boston Symphony Hall. He has also performed with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Berlin and Los Angeles philharmonic orchestras.
Margaret Batjer has served as concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1998. She made her first solo appearance at the age of fifteen with the Chicago Symphony in Gian Carlo Menotti’s Violin Concerto. Since then, she has been re-engaged by the Chicago Symphony, as well as a succession of other major orchestras, including the Philadelphia and New York String orchestras and the St. Louis, Seattle, San Jose and Dallas symphonies. Batjer has also appeared as a soloist throughout Europe with orchestras including the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Halle Symphony Orchestra at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Claus Peter Flor.
Hailed by Musical America for “her voice pure and ethereal, her expression embracing and heartfelt,” Elissa Johnston has appeared in a wide range of repertory. Her orchestral engagements include appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Esa-Pekka Salonen and Miguel Harth-Bedoya; the Atlanta, Fort Worth and Santa Rosa symphonies; the Los Angeles and St. Paul chamber orchestras; and the San Francisco Contemporary Players. She has performed numerous times with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s New Music Group both in Los Angeles and at the Ojai Festival with conductors Tan Dun, David Zinman, Daniel Harding and Steven Stucky.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14 – 7:00 PM (Series continues on April 10 and May 8)
Zipper Concert Hall The Colburn School
ARTISTS
ALLAN VOGEL, oboe
MARGARET BATJER, violin
ELISSA JOHNSTON, soprano
PROGRAM:
BACH, Cantata No. 202, “Wedding Cantata”
BACH, Concerto in C minor for Violin and Oboe
BACH, Cantata No. 84, “Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke”
TICKET PRICES: $99 includes all three concerts; $37 for individual concerts (Subject to availability)
TICKET INFORMATION: Series tickets available by phone 213 622 7001 × 215 or by fax 213 955 2071. Beginning January 7, tickets to individual concerts also available online at www.laco.org. Tickets on sale at the theatre box office the night of the concert, if available.
Press Contact: Elizabeth Hinckley
Rogers & Cowan
310 854 8199
ehinckley@rogersandcowan.com ###