I hate to say that I told you so, but I told you so. Continue reading
Category Archives: Auditions & Appointments
Inside info about LA Phil auditions from Nathan Cole, First Associate Concertmaster
On the heels of all the talk about various auditions in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Spring 2022 edition of “Comings and Goings at the LA Phil” published earlier this week, I thought All is Yar readers would find this interesting . . . Continue reading
Comings and goings at the LA Phil (Spring 2022 edition, part 2 of 2): Principal Oboe candidates — and a bold prediction or two
The last time we talked in detail about the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s attempts to find a new Principal Oboe was three years ago. The previous person in the job, Ramon Ortega, managed to begin and end his tenure in the short span of six weeks [to understand why, go HERE]. The orchestra then held open … Continue reading
Comings and goings at the LA Phil (Spring 2022 edition, part 1 of 2): five empty chairs filled, including new Tuba and Associate Principal Bass
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has been busy trying to plug multiple holes in its roster throughout this season. The COVID-19 pandemic had prevented it from trying to hire anyone for over a year. That changed beginning Fall of 2021 when they held auditions for Section 1st and 2nd Violin and Fourth Horn. The orchestra followed … Continue reading
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has a new Principal Viola
Yesterday, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra announced that Yura Lee will be its new Principal Viola effective at the start of the 2022/2023 season this October. The dual resident of Los Angeles and Portland is a lauded soloist and chamber musician on both violin and viola. She is also on the faculty of the USC … Continue reading
LA Phil extends contracts of Herbie Hancock and Thomas Wilkins
Two important artistic leaders at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will be around for a few more years. Herbie Hancock and Thomas Wilkins both signed contract extensions with the organization. Legendary jazz keyboardist Herbie Hancock will continue as Creative Chair for Jazz until at least 2023. His tenure had been set to expire at the … Continue reading
Comings and goings at the LA Phil (Summer 2020 edition): retirements in the time of Covid-19
Life can seem frozen during this strangest, most turbulent of years. There’s a desire to rewind and redo the past, or to fast-forward to a post-pandemic future that hopefully looks and feels like the underappreciated 2019 (or 2015 or 2000 or . . . ) of our memory. Yet time — and life — trudges … Continue reading
My $0.02 on Gustavo Dudamel extending his LA Phil contract to 2025/26 season
It looks like “The Dude” is gonna be sticking around for a little while longer. The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced earlier today that Gustavo Dudamel, the orchestra’s Music & Artistic Director, will continue in that capacity through at least the 2025/26 season. His current contract was to expire at the end of the 2021/22 season. … Continue reading
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical
Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (Fall 2019 edition): new CEO, harp, and violins; a Principal Oboe update; plus much more
After many requests, I’m very happy to bring back my regular look at the personnel moves within the Los Angeles Philharmonic, plus a couple of noteworthy moves at the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. There’s even a link to some fabulous music by the “Los Angeles Philharmonic Wind Quintet” (seriously). Let’s get to it . . … Continue reading
Auditions & Appointments / Interviews / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical
A chat with Jaime Martin: LACO’s new chief discusses his approach to conducting new music, plus soloists and composers he’ll feature in his first season
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
Zubin Mehta named LA Phil “Conductor Emeritus,” will return in 2019/20 season
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
Jeffrey Strong wins LA Phil 3rd/Utility Trumpet audition
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
Esa-Pekka Salonen to join Colburn Conservatory faculty, will head new conducting program
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
A chat with Ramón Ortega: the new LA Phil Principal Oboe and Colburn Conservatory instructor talks about his roots, his move to LA, and varying styles of oboe playing
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
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Los Angeles Philharmonic / Music News & Info: Classical / Pacific Symphony
Comings and goings at the LA Phil and beyond (End of Summer 2018 edition)
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
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