Thirty-five years ago today, New Order released their seminal New Wave dance hit, “Blue Monday.” The song — along with its iconic packaging for the 12″ vinyl single as an over-sized floppy disc — represents a key moment in time for the band, the clearest indication that it had moved beyond its more austere roots … Continue reading
After teasing its 2018/19 season in November and postponing its originally planned announcement by an extra couple of days, the Los Angeles Philharmonic finally dropped the other shoe last week and released full details of its Centennial Season. It is, to use a word that is ubiquitous yet completely accurate and appropriate this time: awesome. … Continue reading
While everyone in the classical music space has been holding its collective breath waiting for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, that benevolent 800-lb. gorilla of the Southern California artistic landscape, to release details of the rest of its 2018/19 season, we should pause and examine next year’s season recently announced by the smaller yet artistically worthy … Continue reading
Expectations have been rather high for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2018/19 season. After all, they’ve had some rather impressive seasons leading up to it, and you’d guess that they’d make an even bigger splash for their 100th Anniversary season. The full season announcement was to have been made this morning Alas, we’ll have to wait … Continue reading
Los Angeles Opera and Plácido Domingo, their General Director, issued a press release last week announcing details of their 2018/19 (full details are below). In short, here’s what we’ve got to look forward to: Mainstage (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion) Six performances each of: Don Carlo (Verdi): September 22 through October 14, 2018; revival. James Conlon conducts. Ramón Vargas (Don … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced yesterday that Simon Woods will be their new Chief Executive Officer effective January 22, 2018. The 54-year old native of London has been President and CEO of the Seattle Symphony since 2011. Overall, I think this is good news. Some thoughts and observations on the announcement: Continue reading
Sad news yesterday from the Los Angeles Philharmonic that Mitchell Peters, member of the orchestra from 1969 until his retirement in 2006, has passed away at the age of 82. Mr. Peters was named Co-Principal Percussionist in 1972 and took over the Principal Timpani in 1982. He was also well-known as a composer, arranger, and … Continue reading
![The next LA Phil Principal Oboe will be Ramón Ortega Quero [UPDATED]](https://allisyar.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ramonortegaquero04-1024x678-1024x678.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "The next LA Phil Principal Oboe will be Ramón Ortega Quero [UPDATED]")
Spanish oboist Ramón Ortega Quero — aka Ramon Ortega — has been offered the position of Principal Oboe of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He will take over the position vacated by Ariana Ghez earlier this year if he chooses to accept the offer. [UPDATE: 2 NOV 2017: An earlier version of this article stated that Mr. … Continue reading
It started with Michael Thornton, Principal Horn of the LA Chamber Orchestra, doing his one-man, four-part rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The social media folks at LACO tweeted it out with a cheeky question directed at Houston’s River Oaks Chamber Orchestra: “You got anything?” Um, Game On, ladies and gentlemen. Game. On. … Continue reading
With the 2017 World Series starting tonight, please enjoy this video of Michael Thornton, new Principal Horn of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, supporting the local team’s appearance in the Fall Classic with his four-part arrangement of “Take Me out to the Ballgame.” (h/t to LACO’s Facebook page) Go Dodgers! Continue reading
Yesterday, I shared part 1 of my conversation with Scott Harrison, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In part 2 below, we discuss how he built a relationship with the LACO musicians, what makes them unique in the orchestra world, and they are all looking for as the search for their next Music … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is celebrating its 50th Anniversary season, and normally, such occasions see Music Directors standing front and center to lead the festivities. But not this year. LACO has no Music Director, Jeffrey Kahane having stepped down last year after 20 years in the post. During LACO’s season-opening weekend, it was Scott … Continue reading
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has made some rather impressive hires during the Gustavo Dudamel era, but perhaps none more intriguing than the three stellar principal woodwinds. They’re tough to miss, both because they sit dead-center in the orchestra and, more importantly, because their playing is impeccable. They also share a notable line-item on their curriculum … Continue reading
I am very happy and honored to announce that the good folks at the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra have invited me to host the pre-game show, er, the pre-concert discussion with guest conductor Peter Oundjian this coming Sunday evening, October 15 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. We’ll be on stage 6:00 to 6:30pm chatting about the … Continue reading
It’s time once again for your roundup on recent personnel movement (and lack thereof) at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There is much to cover, so let’s get right to it, starting with the biggest news of the summer . . . The stories behind the departures of Ariana Ghez and Carrie Dennis The biggest buzz … Continue reading
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