Harpsichord Virtuoso Mahan Esfahani Leads Baroque Conversations Concert - 10/6, 7:30pm

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) opens its five-concert Baroque Conversations series with an evening led by harpsichord virtuoso Mahan Esfahani, recently named LACO's first-ever Baroque Conversations Artistic Partner, on Thursday, October 6, 2016, 7:30 pm, at Zipper Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

Featuring works for solo harpsichord as well as harpsichord and strings, the program explores the music of Berlin in the 1740s and 1750s and includes Janitsch's Quadro in G minor for Harpsichord and Strings, "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden:"; WF Bach's Sonata in D major for Solo Harpsichord; and Benda's Concerto in G minor for Harpsichord and Strings; and CPE Bach's Sonata in B minor for Violin and Harpsichord. Joining Esfahani, lauded for his "soulful flair," (The New York Times), are Jason Yoshida, theorbo, and LACO musicians Margaret Batjer, concertmaster; Tereza Stanislav, assistant concertmaster; Rolan Kato, viola; and Andrew Shulman, principal cello. To conclude the concert, Esfahani engages the audience in a Q&A. A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6:30 pm.

Esfahani, who made his LACO debut last season and is in demand around the globe, has been hailed as "one of today's most thrilling harpsichordists" (Gramophone) and proclaimed a "superstar whose musicianship, imagination, virtuosity, cultural breadth and charisma far transcends the ivory tower in which the harpsichord has traditionally been placed" (The Times). Since making his London debut in 2009, he has worked tirelessly to establish the harpsichord in the mainstream of concert instruments in classical and contemporary repertoire, including giving the first harpsichord recital in the history of the BBC Proms in 2011.

This concert marks Esfahani's first appearance in his new role as LACO's first Baroque Conversations Artistic Partner, which covers a three-year period through the 2018-19 season. He plans to explore the Baroque music of London and Venice in subsequent seasons. During the residency, Esfahani will also be featured in recitals and discussions offered free to the community outside the traditional concert hall. Esfahani's LACO residency is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

The enlightening five-concert Baroque Conversations series provides insight into the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. The second Baroque Conversations program, on November 3, features LACO Principal Keyboard Patricia Mabee on harpsichord, and special guest Curtis Berak on hurdy gurdy performing works by Rameau, Bach, Telemann, Chèdeville, Lully and Corrette. Baroque Conversations is generously sponsored by Carol & Warner Henry, a Friend of LACO and the Ronus Foundation.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" by Public Radio International, has established itself among the world's top musical ensembles. Since 1997, LACO has performed under the baton of acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, hailed by critics as "visionary" and a conductor with "effortless musicality and extraordinary communicative gifts." Under Kahane's leadership, the Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers.

Single tickets for the concert on October 6 (beginning at $57) and subscriptions to all five Baroque Conversations concerts ($265) are available online at laco.org, or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001. Single tickets can also be purchased at the venue box office on the night of the concert, if tickets remain. Baroque Conversations five-concert subscriptions are available for $265. Discounted tickets are available by phone for groups of 12 or more. College students may purchase student rush tickets ($12), based on availability, at the box office an hour before the concert. Also available for college students is the $30 "Campus to Concert Hall All Access Pass" - good for all eight of LACO's Orchestral concerts, five Baroque Conversations and three Westside Connections series concerts.

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