Cellist Joshua Roman to Perform Bach's Landmark Suites at Baroque Conversations, 4/21

Noted cellist and classical music innovator Joshua Roman hosts Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's engaging Baroque Conversations and solos on three of Bach's six landmark suites for unaccompanied cello on Thursday, April 21, 2016, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. Bach's Suite No. 3 in C major, Suite No. 2 in D minor, and Suite No. 6 in D major, performed by Roman, and the three other suites, are widely considered among the composer's greatest works. Composed around 1720 and originally thought to be studies, the suites were largely unknown until famed cellist Pablo Casals became the first person to record all six, elevating their status so that they are now among the most popular and widely performed cello works ever written.

The concert is part of a two-week guest artist residency for the cellist that encompasses engagement with live and virtual audiences through pre-concert talks and personal introduction of the music from the stage; a guest appearance on LACO's Orchestral Series on April 16, 8 pm, at Glendale's Alex Theatre, and April 17, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall; a cello masterclass at North Hollywood High on April 19; a special in-school program at Hoover Street Elementary School in Los Angeles on April 20; a free performance at Amoeba Music in Hollywood on April 20, 7 pm; an appearance with Orchestra members at the 6th Annual Hear Now Music Festival on April 23, 8 pm, at First Lutheran Church of Venice; a preview podcast and recording, including posting a short video from an iconic Southland location as part of Roman's Everyday Bach series (www.youtube.com/user/JoshuaRomanCello). Roman's Guest Artist Residency with LACO is made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.

Roman, "a cellist of extraordinary technical and musical gifts" (San Francisco Chronicle), is recognized as an accomplished composer, curator and programmer, particularly in his work as artistic director of Seattle Town Hall's TownMusic series, with a vision to expand the classical music audience. For his ongoing creative initiatives on behalf of classical music, Roman was named a 2011 TED Fellow, joining a select group of next generation innovators of unusual accomplishments who show potential to positively affect the world. Before embarking on a solo career, Roman spent two seasons as principal cello of the Seattle Symphony, a position he won in 2006 at the age of 22. This performance marks Roman's second program with LACO in two weeks; he also joins LACO for the LA premiere of Mason Bates's Cello Concerto April 16 and 17, 2016.

The enlightening five-concert Baroque Conversations series provides insight into the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. As host of the evening, Roman introduces the music from the stage and engages the audience in Q&A to conclude the concert. A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6 pm. Baroque Conversations concludes on Saturday, May 21, 2016, 8 pm, at USC's Bovard Auditorium in partnership with the 2016 Piatigorsky International Cello Festival. Baroque Conversations is generously sponsored by Carol & Warner Henry, a Friend of LACO and the Ronus Foundation.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is considered one of the world's premier chamber orchestras as well as a pacesetter in presenting wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissions. Its 2015-16 season, features a compelling mix of beloved masterpieces and genre-defying premieres from firmly established as well as notable up-and-coming composers programmed by Jeffrey Kahane, one of the world's foremost conductors and pianists, who marks his 19th season as LACO's music director.

Tickets, starting at $57, 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. 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.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy Sawatzky

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