Jeffrey Kahane to Make Conducting Debut with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra with Jalbert West Coast Premiere

Jeffrey Kahane makes his first appearance in his new role as Conductor Laureate of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) with the West Coast premiere of Pierre Jalbert's Violin Concerto, featuring LACO Concertmaster Margaret Batjer, on Saturday, March 17, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and Sunday, March 18, 2018, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall. A co-commission by LACO, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Milwaukee Orchestra, Jalbert's work was written for the concertmasters of the three orchestras. Kahane, who stepped down as LACO Music Director in June 2017 after a 20-year tenure, also conducts Respighi's Three Botticelli Pictures, a vivid aural impression of three of the Renaissance master's famous paintings, and continues LACO's multi-year exploration of Haydn's famed 12 London symphonies with Symphony No. 99 in E-Flat Major, the seventh in the sequence.

Jalbert's Violin Concerto, in two movements, was premiered by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on June 9, 2017, with a subsequent performance by the Milwaukee Symphony on February 16, 2018. LACO's 2002-5 composer-in-residence, Jalbert "is an acknowledged chamber-music master" (The New Yorker) whose work has been described as "rhapsodic, transparent and skillfully written" (New York Times). Earning widespread notice for his richly colored and superbly crafted scores, he has developed a musical language that is engaging, expressive and deeply personal, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, from plainchant melodies to natural phenomena. Among his many honors are the Rome Prize, the BBC Masterprize, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's 2007 Stoeger Award, given biennially "in recognition of significant contributions to the chamber music repertory," and a 2010 award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Batjer, LACO concertmaster since 1998, has soloed with such major orchestras as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the St. Louis, Seattle and Dallas symphony orchestras, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Prague Chamber Orchestra and Berlin Symphony Orchestra. She appears regularly at the Marlboro Music Festival, La Jolla Summer­fest, Salzburg Festival, and Italy's Naples and Cremona festivals.

Kahane, equally at home at the keyboard and on the podium, has established an international reputation as a truly versatile artist, recognized around the world for his mastery of diverse repertoire ranging from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to Gershwin, Golijov and John Adams. He served as LACO music director for 20 years, stepping down at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. He previously served as music director of the Colorado and Santa Rosa symphonies. He has garnered tremendous critical acclaim for his innovative programming and commitment to education and community involvement and received multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming for his work in both Los Angeles and Denver. He is a Professor of Keyboard Studies at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), ranked among the world's top musical ensembles, marks its 50th anniversary in the 2017-18 season. Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Orchestra is known as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks as well as a champion of contemporary composers. Headquartered in the heart of the country's cultural capital, LACO has been proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" (Public Radio International), "LA's most unintimidating chamber music experience" (Los Angeles Magazine), "resplendent" (Los Angeles Times), and "one of the world's great chamber orchestras"(KUSC Classical FM). LACO, which performs throughout greater Los Angeles, has garnered eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Jaime Martín, praised as "a visionary conductor, discerning and meticulous" (Platea Magazine), is LACO's Music Director Designate and takes the podium as Music Director in the 2019-20 season.

Steinway is the official piano of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

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

Tickets start at $27 and may be purchased online at laco.org or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001 x 1. Discounted tickets are also available by phone for seniors 65 years of age and older and groups of 12 or more. College students with valid student ID may purchase discounted tickets ($8), based on availability.