LA Chamber Orchestra Bassoonist Kenneth Munday to be Spotlighted at Baroque Conversations, 2/4

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's popular Baroque Conversations spotlights esteemed LACO Principal Bassoon Kenneth Munday, celebrating his 40th anniversary season with the Orchestra, as host and featured performer in a diverse program centered on the bassoon and oboe on Thursday, February 4, 2016, 7 pm, at Zipper Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The program includes Boismortier's Rondeau from Suite de Pièces qu'on peut jouer seule; Les Sauvages from Les Gentils Airs by Rameau; and Sonatina in A minor by Telemann. Also presented are Handel's Trio Sonata in E-flat major; Zachow's Trio Sonata in F major; and Fasch's Sonata in D minor. Joining Munday are LACO principals Patricia Mabee, harpsichord, and Allan Vogel, oboe; Claire Brazeau, oboe; and guest artist Edward Meares, bass. A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

Munday, appointed to LACO by Sir Neville Marriner in 1976, has appeared as soloist with the Orchestra on numerous occasions. On March 19 and 20, he is featured in the world premiere of Gernot Wolfgang's Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds - "The D.A.R.K Knights," celebrating the Orchestra's four longest-serving wind principals. Active in chamber music circles and in LA's recording studios, Munday has performed at the Marlboro, Santa Fe and Chamber Music Northwest music festivals, among others, and can be heard on John Williams' Star Wars VII soundtrack. For Naxos, he recorded Luciano Berio's Sequenza XII for solo bassoon, a technically demanding work that requires the performer to circular-breathe for 19 minutes. Impressively, Munday recorded it in two complete takes.

LACO's highly regarded Baroque Conversations series spotlights repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. In signature LACO style, artists share their insights into the music and invite questions from the audience, which provides an in-depth look at the music being presented as well as an opportunity to get to know LACO artists on a deeper level. Each Zipper Hall program begins with a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception. Additional Baroque Conversations performances take place on Thursdays, March 24 and April 21, 2016, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles; and 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.