Sarah Gibson, José Enrique González Medina and Derrick Spiva Jr. also joined our first-ever composer roundtable.

Episode one of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s “TABLE TALK” series — set to premiere April 18 — features four living composers who get into the nitty-gritty of their craft and working in classical music.

Juan Pablo Contreras, Sarah Gibson, José Enrique González Medina and Derrick Spiva Jr. spark conversations about finding your voice, progress on the diversity front and why there’s never been a better time to get excited about classical music.

These discussions are lots of fun even if you’re a casual classical music fan. What’s better than watching super talented people exchange stories, share advice and cheer each other on?

MORE ABOUT JUAN PABLO CONTRERAS

Juan Pablo Contreras
2019-20 Sound Investment composer Juan Pablo Contreras

Juan Pablo Contreras is “one of the most prominent young composers of Latin America” (Milenio) and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2019-20 sound investment composer and earned a 2019 Latin Grammy nomination for Mariachitlán — a work inspired by the wellspring of his Mexican heritage.

His works have been performed by major orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Mexico City and UNAM Philharmonics, and the orchestras of Boca del Río, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, Sinaloa, Oaxaca, State of Mexico, and Jalisco in Mexico; the Salta and Córdoba Symphonies in Argentina; the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela; and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra, and the Waco Symphony Orchestra in the United States.

LACO AT HOME

LACO AT HOME allows people everywhere to engage and listen to spellbinding performances with “America’s finest chamber orchestra” — no subscription, sign-up, or payment required.

The coronavirus pandemic may prevent us from gathering together to share music in person, but current circumstances will not prevent LACO from providing you with exquisite, enduring, personal musical experiences. We are happy to announce that the musicians of LACO have generously volunteered to share a wide variety of audio and video options during this time.

All broadcasts can be live-streamed at laco.org/broadcasts and streamed on-demand at laco.org/on-demand.