Rich Cello Sonatas Highlighted at LA Chamber Orchestra's BAROQUE CONVERSATIONS Tonight

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) Principal Cello Andrew Shulman hosts and performs works by Bach, Marcello, Sammartini, De Fesch and Vivaldi in a Baroque Conversations program illuminating a rich array of Baroque cello sonatas tonight, March 26, 2015, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Shulman, joined by LACO artists Trevor Handy, cello, and Principal Keyboard Patricia Mabee, harpsichord, is featured on Sammartini's Sonata in G major for Cello and Continuo, Op. 4, No. 6; Marcello's Sonata in A minor for Cello and Continuo, Op. 2, No. 3; Vivaldi's Sonata in B-flat major for Cello and Continuo, RV 46; De Fesch's Sonata in A minor for Cello and Continuo, Op. 1b, No. 5; and Bach's Sonata in G major for Viola da Gamba and Continuo, BWV 1027. A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

LACO's highly regarded five-concert "Baroque Conversations" series, now in its ninth year, explores the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. In signature LACO style, each concert host shares insights into the music and invites questions from the audience, providing an in-depth look at the music being presented as well as an opportunity to get to know LACO artists on a more personal level.

Tickets (beginning at $56) are available online at laco.org, by calling LACO at 213 622 7001, or at the venue box office on the night of the concert, if tickets remain. Discounted tickets are also available by phone for groups of 12 or more. College students may purchase student rush tickets ($12), based on availability, at the box office the day of the concert.

ANDREW SHULMAN was appointed principal cello of LACO in 2008 and has recently become a professor of violoncello at the University of Southern California. Shulman was the first British winner of the Piatigorsky Artist Award and was bestowed with an Honorary RCM by The Queen Mother in 1986. He was solo cello of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, first chair with London's Philharmonia Orchestra and principal cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has given recitals in the Royal Palace in Stockholm; in London at Wigmore Hall, Buckingham Palace and Royal Festival Hall; and locally at the Hollywood Bowl.

Cello TREVOR HANDY has been a member of the Los Angeles Cham¬ber Orchestra since 2002, and is also principal cello of the Santa Barbara Symphony. He performs frequently with LA Opera, in vari¬ous chamber music series, at festivals and as a studio musician in Hollywood. While freelancing in New York, Handy was a member of the Griffon String Quartet, which won the grand prize at the 1991 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He has spent sum¬mers at Aspen and Tanglewood, as well as in Switzerland at Yehudi Menuhin's Summer Academy and at Lausanne's Academy of Music in master classes given by Maurice Gendron.

PATRICIA MABEE has been principal keyboard with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1976, and has appeared in more than 20 works from the concerto repertoire under the batons of Sir Neville Marriner, Christopher Hogwood, Helmuth Rilling, Nicholas McGe¬gan and Iona Brown. Mabee performs with the Bach's Circle which focuses on the music of JS Bach, his sons and contemporaries. She is the music director of Ritornello, a period instrument ensemble that presents educational programs for schools, museums and community groups. She is pianist for world premieres by John Adams, Bruce Broughton, Donald Crockett and Libby Larsen.

ANDREW SHULMAN was appointed principal cello of LACO in 2008 and has recently become a professor of violoncello at the University of Southern California. Shulman was the first British winner of the Piatigorsky Artist Award and was bestowed with an Honorary RCM by The Queen Mother in 1986. He was solo cello of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, first chair with London's Philharmonia Orchestra and principal cello of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has given recitals in the Royal Palace in Stockholm; in London at Wigmore Hall, Buckingham Palace and Royal Festival Hall; and locally at the Hollywood Bowl.

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 film event, featuring the Orchestra performing the score live, 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.

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