The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra begins its 2019-2020 season this coming weekend with two concerts featuring a world premiere from Andrew Norman and works by Beethoven and Berlioz. The weekend also marks the official beginning of Jaime Martin’s tenure as LACO’s Music Director. The Spaniard takes over the orchestra in a time of transition, with … Continue reading
Got the whopper of a press release below announcing that Simon Woods, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s CEO, has resigned. There certainly was no indication of anything wrong during my conversation with him a few months ago. Did something change since then, or was something already brewing in the background as we chatted? How much of … Continue reading
When Simon Woods arrived in Los Angeles, he had a very tough act to follow. Deborah Borda announced in March of 2017 that she would leave her position as CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic to return to her previous post as head of the New York Philharmonic, and speculation began immediately about who would … Continue reading
The music of Igor Stravinsky takes over Walt Disney Concert Hall for three different sets of programs over the next two weekends, led by one of its most ardent advocates, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and played by one of its best orchestral interpreters, the Los Angeles Philharmonic along with the Los Angeles Master Chorale and various other … Continue reading
I know some of you didn’t get a chance to see Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic join Beck perform his song, “Tarantula,” on “The Late Late Show.” Or even if you did, you might want to see it again but didn’t record it. Fear not, dear readers. James Corden and crew posted the … Continue reading
Are you a fan of Beck? Or the Los Angeles Philharmonic? Or Gustavo Dudamel? Maybe all of the above? If any of those apply to you, stay up and watch — or set your TiVo or other DVR of choice for — “The Late Late Show with James Corden” tonight (or rather early Tuesday morning, if … Continue reading
Let the parade begin of Southern California musical organization’s 2019-2020 season announcements. First up: the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. I’ll write up a detailed evaluation of Jaime Martín‘s first season as LACO’s Music Director in the near future. For now, let’s just say I like it. I like it a whole lot. The most tantalizing … Continue reading
Zubin Mehta has been named Conductor Emeritus of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Simon Woods, CEO of the orchestra, announced the news from the stage of Walt Disney Concert Hall before the second half of last night’s concert in which Mr. Mehta was beginning his second week of Brahms programs this season. Given that Mr. Mehta’s … Continue reading
Hello everyone and Happy Day-After-Christmas (aka Boxing Day, for the Anglophiles amongst you). I hope you had a very Merry Christmas — even if you didn’t celebrate — and that you spent it doing what you wanted with the people you wanted. As you chillax from your reveries, please allow me to share the best … Continue reading
Jeffrey Strong will be the new 3rd/Utility Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The Fresno native has been 2nd Trumpet with the St. Louis Symphony since 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Strong served as a trumpeter in the U.S. Marine Band from 2009 to 2015. National Public Radio (NPR) interviewed him in 2011 regarding his … Continue reading
The Colburn School announced earlier today that Esa-Pekka Salonen will be joining the faculty of the Colburn Conservatory. The Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London and Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic will lead the brand new Negaunee Conducting Program devoted to training young conductors. The program is named for the Negaunee … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra begins its 2018-19 season in earnest with performances this weekend (at the Alex Theatre on Saturday and UCLA’s Royce Hall on Sunday) featuring violinist Hillary Hahn. While guest conductor Gemma New will be on the podium this weekend, these concerts represent the first full season of a new era. LACO … Continue reading
This evening, Ramón Ortega headlines a chamber music concert at the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall featuring oboe-centric works by Mozart, Koechlin, and Gounod. It marks the first official public appearance by Mr. Ortega as Colburn Conservatory’s new oboe instructor. Later this week, he officially begins performing at his other gig in town — Principal Oboe of … Continue reading
Thomas Hooten, Principal Trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, had a great idea: record the John Williams Concerto for Trumpet and Piano. He mentioned it to the distinguished composer who thought it was a great idea too and agreed to conduct the new recording. Both of them decided to do it for free, but that … Continue reading
Hello again, folks. Long time no chat. Hope you’re well. It’s obviously been a while, and so let’s start getting caught up by talking about some key personnel moves across the Southern California orchestral landscape and beyond. New additions to the LA Phil (official and unofficial) Since the beginning of the calendar year, the Los … Continue reading
All is Yar 