LACO A LA CARTE to Pair Chamber Music and Global Cuisine in Fall 2014 Fundraiser Series
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 08, 2014
"LACO à la carte," five intimate, elegant fundraising events presented by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, pair exclusive musical performances with delectable international cuisine in the spectacular private homes of the Consuls General of Australia, Austria, Finland, France and Germany.
Providing a decidedly cosmopolitan flair to LACO's wide ranging musical offerings, each unique evening features representative cuisine complemented by a salon performance spotlighting LACO musicians and guest artists. The LACO à la carte series, now in its sixth year, illustrates that music truly knows no boundaries. Proceeds help support the education outreach programs of LACO, proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" by Public Radio International.
"LACO à la carte" is chaired by LACO board vice president Mahnaz Newman. Sponsors include Ann Mulally, Mahnaz and David Newman, Ned and Dana Newman, Gene Shutler, and East West Bank.
"Finland à la carte"
Thursday, September 18, 2014, 7 pm
In Bel Air at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Finland
Experience the refined cuisine and culture of one of the world's northernmost countries at the first "LACO à la carte" of the season hosted by The Honorable Juha Markkanen, Consul General of Finland, and Mrs. Tuula Markkanen in their spectacular Bel Air residence. As the featured guest artist, Finnish pianist Juho Pohjonen offers an intimate recital of sublime solo piano works. Proclaimed an "exciting new talent" (The New York Times), he has been hailed for his "dazzling keyboard technique and broad and varied textural palette that allows him to shade his performances with great subtlety" (San Francisco Chronicle). Pohjonen is also featured at LACO's season opening concerts on September 20 at Glendale's Alex Theatre and September 21 at UCLA's Royce Hall.
"Australia à la carte"
Saturday, September 27, 2014, 7 pm
At the Brentwood Residence of the Consul General of Australia
Warm and generous hospitality from "down under" highlights LACO's "Australia à la carte," hosted by Australia's Consul General, The Honorable Karen Lanyon, and Mr. Craig Mills, at their striking Brentwood residence. Authentic Australian fare and wines provide tasty accompaniment to a riveting musical program led by LACO Principal Percussion Wade Culbreath on the marimba. Culbreath, who is also principal percussion with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, has played on nearly 400 motion picture soundtracks, including the Academy Award-winning scores for Aladdin, Pocahontas and Life of Pi. More recently, he was principal percussion for Frozen, Godzilla and Transformers, and timpanist for A Million Ways to Die in the West.
"France à la carte"
Thursday, October 9, 2014, 7 pm
In Beverly Hills at the Official Residence of the Consul General of France
The Honorable Axel Cruau, Consul General of France, and Mrs. Dourène Cruau, host the season's third "LACO à la carte" at their beautiful Beverly Hills residence. Illuminating the dazzling cultural and musical vibrancy of France, the evening features a program of Baroque works for string ensemble led by LACO Principal Violin II Josefina Vergara, who recently toured Europe and Asia with the Uri Caine Ensemble, a noted jazz group, and has also performed at numerous summer music festivals, including Mainly Mozart, Tanglewood, the Music Academy of the West Summer Festival and Germany's Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. Superb French food and fine wine cap the soirée.
"Germany à la carte"
Saturday, October 25, 2014, 7 pm
In Hancock Park at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Germany
"LACO à la carte" commemorates the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the momentous events that ushered in a new era for Europe and the world with a special program hosted by Dr. Bernd Fischer, The Honorable Consul General of Germany, and Mrs. Jutta Fischer, in their elegant Hancock Park home. With the culinary riches of Germany adding a delicious note to the festivities, LACO Principal Cello Andrew Shulman leads a performance of Richard Strauss's rarely played epic masterpiece Metamorphosen, a profound musical elegy for seven virtuosic string players. Los Angeles Times declares Shulman's playing is "always eloquent and passionate," Salt Lake Tribune calls him "fabulously nuanced" and The Times of London praises him for his "fastidious poetry of phrase and technique." This is a premium "LACO à la carte" event.
Austria à la carte
Friday, November 7, 2014, 7 pm
in Brentwood at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Austria
"Austria à la carte," hosted by Ulrike Ritzinger, The Honorable Consul General of Austria, at her stately residence in Brentwood, concludes the 2014 "LACO à la carte" series with an evening that illuminates the country's unique and vibrant cultural and culinary traditions. LACO Principal Horn Richard Todd, who marks his 35th anniversary with the Orchestra this season and is an internationally renowned concert, jazz and recording artist, pays homage to Austria's rich musical heritage, leading an unparalleled program that exemplifies the Viennese classical style and beyond with the music of Mozart, Haydn, Hans Eisler and Ernst Toch. Todd has earned acclaim as one of the world's finest horn soloists for performances spanning Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl, and the Jazz Bakery to Birdland. This is also a premium "LACO à la carte" event.
"LACO à la carte" tickets for September 18 and 27 and October 9 are $275 per person. Tickets for the premium "Germany à la carte" and "Austria à la carte" are $300 per person. Multiple-event packages include Chef's Table Trio tickets at $750 per person for any three events. "LACO à la carte" events may be purchased by calling 213 622 7001 x 3. Details are available at www.laco.org/events.
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (LACO), proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" by Public Radio International and "resplendent" by the Los Angeles Times, 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 of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity" with "undeniable charisma," "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. During its 46-year history, the Orchestra has made 31 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, performed across North America and garnered eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, LACO presents its Orchestral Series on Saturdays at Glendale's Alex Theatre and on Sundays at UCLA's Royce Hall; Baroque Conversations at downtown Los Angeles' Zipper Concert Hall; Westside Connections chamber music series, designed to illustrate the relationship between music and other artistic disciplines, at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica; and an annual Discover concert, which features an in-depth examination that sheds new light on a single piece of music, at Pasadena's Ambassador Auditorium. LACO also presents a Concert Gala, an annual Silent Film screening and several fundraising salons each year. Additionally, LACO outreach programs, Meet the Music, Community Partners, Campus to Concert Hall and the LACO/USC Thornton Strings Mentorship Program, reach thousands of young people annually, nurturing future musicians and composers as well as inspiring a love of classical music.
Pictured: Principal Violin II Josefina Vergara. Photo by Michael Miller.
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