Program of Musical Contrasts Opens LA Chamber Orchestra's 2016-17 Season

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), one of the nation's premier orchestras and a leader in presenting wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissions, presents a program of musical contrasts to open its 2016-17 season, its final under the leadership of esteemed Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, who steps down at the end of the season. On Saturday, September 24, 8 pm, Alex Theatre, Glendale, andSunday, September 25, 7 pm, UCLA's Royce Hall, Kahane conducts Beethoven's ecstatic Symphony No. 7, Mozart's radiant Exsultate, jubilate: "Alleluia" with soprano Joélle Harvey and Bach's joyous Cantata No. 51, "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," featuring Harvey and LACO Principal Trumpet David Washburn. These masterpieces are juxtaposed with the somber but transcendent Violin Concerto No. 2, "Four Serious Songs," by Tigran Mansurian, widely considered the world's greatest living Armenian composer, featuring Armenian-born violinist Movses Pogossian, winner of the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition, who regularly collaborates with Mansurian.

The concert also marks LACO PrincipAl Viola Roland Kato's final performance with the Orchestra. He is retiring 40 years after making his first appearance with the Orchestra under the baton of Sir Neville Marriner. Appointed PrincipAl Viola in 1987, the internationally acclaimed viola recitalist and soloist is described as "a brilliant virtuoso, playing with the perfect combination of energy and eloquence" (Los Angeles Times). Kato has also held the principal position in the LA Opera Orchestra, the Pasadena Symphony, the California Chamber Symphony and the Pasadena Chamber Orchestra. A sought-after chamber musician as well, he has been featured in numerous chamber series in Los Angeles and has appeared as a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and has performed with the New York New Music Ensemble. Kato produced the first-ever recording of Telemann's Quatrième livre de quatuors, a collection of chamber pieces performed on period instruments, which earned a Grammy nomination. In addition, his arrangements and transcriptions have been performed worldwide.

Pogossian, heralded for his "enormous skill and conviction" (Boston Globe), is the youngest-ever first-prize winner of the USSR National Violin Competition and artistic director of the critically acclaimed Dilijan Chamber Music Series. After making his American debut in 1990 with the Boston Pops, he has performed around the globe with members of the Tokyo, Kronos and Brentano string quartets and such artists as Kim Kashkashian, Jeremy Denk and Lynn Harrell. Passionately committed to new music, Pogossian has premiered more than 50 works, and his recent release of Complete Works for Violin by Stefan Wolpe was named one of the top ten contemporary records of 2015 by The SundayTimes (UK). He is Professor of Violin at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, and participates in the Music for Food project, which uses music to raise awareness about global hunger. Pogossian also serves as LACO guest artist-in-residence this fall. Activities of his residence include a masterclass with members of the Glendale Youth Orchestra and Verdugo Young Musicians Association, and other special community concerts and events planned in conjunction with Glendale Arts. Pogossian's residency with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Harvey, "a soprano of uncommon talent" (San Jose Mercury News) whose voice has been hailed as "crystalline" (The Boston Globe) and "lovely" (Washington Post), is recognized as one of the most promising young talents of her generation. She has appeared with the Royal Opera, Covent Garden; the Killkenny Festival; Handel & Haydn; San Francisco and Dallas symphonies; Utah Opera; New York and Los Angeles philharmonics; and Cleveland Orchestra, among others.

Washburn, praised for "impeccable trumpet playing" (San Francisco Classical Voice) that is "agile and precise" (The New York Times), in addition to serving as LACO principal trumpet, is associate principal trumpet of the LA Opera Orchestra and principal trumpet with the California Philharmonic. Active in the recording industry, he has numerous motion picture soundtracks to his credit, including Avatar, A Beautiful Mind, Windtalkers, A Perfect Storm, Titanic and Deep Impact. Washburn has been a featured soloist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society and the Santa Fe, La Jolla and Music@Menlo chamber music festivals. Washburn is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Concert Preludes, pre-concert talks held one hour before curtain and free for ticket holders, provide insights into the program's music and artists. Following the performance, ticket holders are invited to mingle with LACO musicians in the lobby at an after-party, which includes complimentary drinks and appetizers.

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 Series concerts, five Baroque Conversations and three Westside Connections series concerts.

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