Thomas Dausgaard Leads Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in Tim Burton Homage

Thomas Dausgaard, principal conductor of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, chief conductor designate of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Seattle Symphony, makes his Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra debut guest conducting the West Coast premiere of A Freak in Burbank, a romping homage to filmmaker Tim Burton by Swedish composer Albert Schnelzer, on Saturday, October 29, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and Sunday, October 30, 2016, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall. Dausgaard also conducts Beethoven's inventive and heroic Symphony No. 3, "Eroica," and six of Sibelius's Humoresques for violin and orchestra, featuring Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud, praised for his "utter brilliance" (The Strad). These concerts are dedicated to the memory of LACO founding music director Sir Neville Marriner, who passed away on October 2.

Dausgaard, a conductor hailed for his "clarity, energy and momentum" (Classical Source) who "draws a spectrum of colors from the orchestra" (The New York Times), is renowned for his creativity and innovation in programming, the excitement of his live performances, and his extensive catalogue of critically-acclaimed recordings. Regularly appearing with many of the world's leading orchestras, he began his North American career assisting Seiji Ozawa. In addition to his other orchestral positions, Dausgaard is honorary conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, having previously served as its principal conductor from 2004 to 2011.

Kraggerud, co-artistic director of the Risør Festival of Chamber Music, artistic director of the Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and one of Scandinavia's most versatile violinists, makes his first LACO appearance in 12 years. He is noted for performances that are "beautifully clean, superbly articulated...full of character and wit" (The Strad). Also an innovative improviser and composer, Henning's recent recording, Last Spring, is a unique collaboration with Norwegian jazz pianist Bugge Wesseltoft exploring improvisations on Norwegian folk music with classical and jazz elements.

Concert Preludes, pre-concert talks held one hour before curtain and free for ticket holders, provide insights into the program's music and artists.
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.

Steinway is the official piano of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Tickets, starting at $27, are on sale now and may be purchased online at laco.org or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001. Discounted tickets are also available by phone for seniors 65 years of age and older and 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. 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.

To post a comment, you must register and login.