Baroque Guitarist John Schneiderman Joins the LA Chamber Orchestra at Zipper Hall Tonight

Critically acclaimed lute and Baroque guitar virtuoso John Schneiderman showcases his remarkable artistry on Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) "Baroque Conversations" series with a program of concertos by Vivaldi, Haydn, Kohaut and Falckenhagen tonight, May 7, 2015, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

To open the program, Schneiderman, LACO Concertmaster Margaret Batjer and Associate Principal Cello Armen Ksajikian perform Haydn's Cassation in C major for Lute, Violin and Cello (Brussels Manuscript), a version of Hob.III:6. Violin Julie Gigante joins them for Kohaut's Concerto in D major for Lute, Two Violins and Cello (Berlin Manuscript), considered an exceptional example of this rare genre, and Vivaldi's Concerto in D major for Lute, Two Violins and Basso Continuo, RV 93, among nearly 600 concertos by the Italian master that helped define the style of the late Baroque era concerto. Principal Flute David Shostac teams up with Schneiderman and Ksajikian for Falckenhagen's Concerto No. 3 in D major for Lute, Flute and Cello (Opera Nuova). Schneiderman, hailed for his "dazzling" and "expressive" artistry and noted for turning "delicate textures into sparkling jewels," hosts the evening. A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

LACO's highly regarded five-concert "Baroque Conversations" series, now in its ninth year, explores the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. In signature LACO style, each concert host shares insights into the music and invites questions from the audience, providing an in-depth look at the music being presented as well as an opportunity to get to know LACO artists on a more personal level.

Tickets (beginning at $56) are available online at laco.org, by calling LACO at 213 622 7001, or at the venue box office on the night of the concert, if tickets remain. Discounted tickets are also available by phone for 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.

Critically acclaimed virtuoso of plucked instruments since age nine, JOHN SCHNEIDERMAN specializes in the performance practice and repertoire of 18th century lutes and 19th century guitars. Schneiderman is in demand as a soloist and chamber musician and has performed with the LA Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, among many others. Schneiderman is currently on the faculties of the UC Irvine, Irvine Valley College, Claremont Graduate University and has been on the faculties of Orange Coast College, San Francisco Conservatory of Music and California State University, Long Beach.

MARGARET BATJER, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orches¬tra since 1998, made her first solo appearance at age 15 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has since soloed with leading orchestras from around the world including the Philadelphia, St. Louis and Dallas symphonies; the Prague, Halle and Berlin sympho¬ny orchestras; and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. An esteemed chamber musician, she appears regularly at the Marlboro Music Festival, as well as many other festivals in the US and Europe. Batjer has recorded extensively for Philips, EMI, Deutsche Grammophon and BMG. In 2008, Batjer developed LACO's Westside Connections chamber music series. She serves on the faculty of the USC Thorn¬ton School of Music and the Colburn Music Academy.

JULIE GIGANTE has been a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1986. Her solo appearances include performances with the Opus and Los Angeles chamber orchestras; the New York String Orchestra; the Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra; the National, Alexandria and Fairfax symphony orchestras; and the Phoenix and Arlington symphonies. She has held the position of assistant concertmaster of the Phoenix Symphony and served as concertmaster with both the Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra in Santa Barbara and the Opus Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles. Gigante is also a founding member of both the Capitol Ensemble and the Angeli Duo.

ARMEN KSAJIKIAN has performed as soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber and Hollywood Bowl orchestras and Nacional Orchestre du Brazil. He has appeared at the Colorado, Banff, Venice Film and Oregon Bach music festivals and is a member of the adventurous Armadillo String Quartet. He takes great pride in appearing in "less conventional" venues such as on 16-day whitewater tours down the Colorado River, "concerts for grizzles" inside the clarifier tank of an old pulp in Sitka, and with the Hiland Mountain Women's String Orchestra at the Hiland Mountain Correctional Center. Ksajikian has worked with such notables as Cage, Williams, Corea, Newman, Incubus and the Eagles.

DAVID SHOSTAC was appointed principal flute of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 1975. He has also served as principal flute of the St. Louis, Milwaukee and New Orleans symphony orchestras. Shostac has performed as a solo and orchestral player at the Hollywood Bowl and has taken part in the Ojai, Mostly Mozart, Aspen and Oregon Bach festivals, and has appeared with the American Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He has taught at USC, UCLA, California Institute of the Arts, the Aspen Music School and the Idyllwild Arts Academy. He is a faculty member of CSU Northridge.

LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (LACO), proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" by Public Radio International and "resplendent" by the Los Angeles Times, 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 of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity" with "undeniable charisma," "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. During its 46-year history, the Orchestra has made 31 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, performed across North America and garnered eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, LACO presents its Orchestral Series on Saturdays at Glendale's Alex Theatre and on Sundays at UCLA's Royce Hall; Baroque Conversations at downtown Los Angeles' Zipper Concert Hall; Westside Connections chamber music series, designed to illustrate the relationship between music and other artistic disciplines, at the Moss Theater in Santa Monica; and an annual Discover concert, which features an in-depth examination that sheds new light on a single piece of music, at Pasadena's Ambassador Auditorium. LACO also presents a Concert Gala, an annual film event, featuring the Orchestra performing the score live, and several fundraising salons each year. Additionally, LACO outreach programs, Meet the Music, Community Partners, Campus to Concert Hall and the LACO/USC Thornton Strings Mentorship Program, reach thousands of young people annually, nurturing future musicians and composers as well as inspiring a love of classical music.

The concert is set for Thursday, May 7, 2015, 7 pm, with a pre-concert reception, beginning at 6 pm, free to all ticket holders at Zipper Hall, The Colburn School, 200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets start at $56. For information or to order tickets, call 213 622 7001, or visit www.laco.org.

PROGRAM:
HAYDN Cassation in C major for Lute, Violin and Cello (Brussels Manuscript), a version of Hob.III:6
KOHAUT Concerto in D major for Lute, Two Violins and Cello (Berlin Manuscript)
FALCKENHAGEN Concerto No. 3 in D major for Lute, Flute and Cello (Opera Nuova)
VIVALDI Concerto in D major for Lute, Two Violins and Basso Continuo, RV 93

Pictured: John Schneiderman. Photo by Dorothea von Haeften.