REVIEW: Paavo Järvi opens eyes and ears with latest LA Phil appearance
You still pondering who could be the next Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic? Paavo Järvi has entered the chat.
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![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]")
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
Chamber orchestras in LA, Houston revel in World Series-inspired “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” rivalry
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
LACO Principal Horn Michael Thornton plays “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”
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
A chat with Scott Harrison (part 2 of 2): on his relationship with LACO musicians and the search for the next Music Director
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
A chat with Scott Harrison (part 1 of 2): LACO’s top exec describes transition from Detroit to LA, challenges and opportunities once here
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
Chatting with the LA Phil woodwind principals Whitney Crockett, Denis Bouriakov, and Boris Allakhverdyan
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
CK Dexter Haven to host pre-concert chat with Peter Oundjian for this Sunday’s LACO concert
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
Comings and goings at the LA Phil (Summer 2017 edition): Details on Ghez, Dennis, Hooten, and others (UPDATED)
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
LA Phil new contract redux: upon further review, looks like they’re the best paid orchestra after all
My previous story on the Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians’ new 5-year contract has caused some buzz, even though the $164,726 annual base compensation the LA Phil players will receive in 2022 is not tops among US orchestras. (For a quick comparison, see this chart of the eight highest-paid orchestras, care of Drew McManus on Adaptistration). Well, … Continue reading
LA Phil players ink new 5-year contract
The truism that “the rich get richer” has been once again proven accurate, both literally and figuratively. First, the literal part: yesterday, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association (LA Phil) and American Federation of Musicians Local 47, AFL-CIO, jointly announced agreement on a new five-year labor contract, with base wages ultimately reaching Continue reading
It’s official: Colburn alum Afendi Yusuf named Principal Clarinet of the Cleveland Orchestra; Jenny Wong promoted at LA Master Chorale
Some news about two musicians who’ve made an impact on the Southern California music scene: The Cleveland Orchestra officially announced this morning that Afendi Yusuf will be their new Principal Clarinet, confirming multiple leaked reports from last month. Continue reading
Appointments / Auditions & Appointments / Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / Music News & Info: Classical
LA Chamber Orchestra hires two new principals: David Grossman (bass) and Michael Thornton (horn)
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra recently announced the hiring of two new musicians: Continue reading
Sixty-six seconds of awesomeness (video): virtuoso rendition of Tchaikovsky 4th on toy instruments
The Melodica Men — those crazy and talented guys that previously brought you “The Rite of Spring” on toy instruments — are back, this time with an impressive rendition of the finale of Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony. It truly has to be seen and heard to be believed. (See the video below) Continue reading
The End of the Kahane Era: Five LACO musicians look back on the Music Director’s 20-year tenure and ahead to what comes next
Twenty years is a long time to hold any job, especially in the 21st Century, and particularly when that job is Music Director of a professional orchestra. Which makes it all the more remarkable that Jeffrey Kahane is only now stepping down as the artistic leader of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, a full generation … Continue reading
Some implications of Deborah Borda leaving LA Phil to go back to NY Phil
The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced this morning that Deborah Borda, the orchestra’s President and CEO, will be stepping down from her post to take the same position with the New York Philharmonic. The move becomes effective September 15, 2017. The full press release is below. She is, of course, no stranger to the NY Phil. She … Continue reading
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