Cellist Steven Isserlis Performs Haydn with the LA Chamber Orchestra This Weekend

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) showcases the virtuosic skills of Steven Isserlis, "one of the world's leading cellists" (The Guardian), performing Haydn's radiant Cello Concerto No. 2 under the baton of sought-after Scottish conductor Douglas Boyd, making his LACO debut, tonight, October 18, 2014, 8 pm, at Glendale's Alex Theatre, and Sunday, October 19, 2014, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall. Boyd also conducts Mozart's stately "Haffner" Serenade and opens the program with At First Light by George Benjamin, considered among Britain's greatest living composers.

According to Benjamin, the inspiration for the piece, which was commissioned and premiered by the London Sinfonietta in 1982, is an oil painting by Turner hanging in the Tate Gallery that stirred him to create a "melted...flowing, nebulous continuum of sound."

Boyd, acclaimed for his vibrant conducting style, is principal conductor of the Musikkollegium Winterthur, Switzerland's oldest orchestra, and principal guest conductor with the City of London Sinfonia. Chicago Tribune calls him "a superlative young conductor," and The Sunday Telegraph (London, UK) proclaims, "He has the born conductor's ability to make music sound fresh and to detect its inner life and pulse."

Isserlis, heralded for his "precise, heartfelt performances" (New York Times), is one of only two living cellists to be inducted into Gramophone's Hall of Fame. Gramophone Magazine states, "The music world - and music itself - is infinitely richer for the presence of Steven Isserlis." During his illustrious career, the British cellist, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, has given recitals around the globe and performed with such major orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Cleveland Orchestra and Philharmonia Baroque, to name a few.

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 at an after-party featuring complimentary appetizers and drinks in the lobby.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is considered one of the world's premier chamber orchestras as well as a leader in presenting wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissions. Its 2014-15 season, the Orchestra's 46th, 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 18th season as LACO's music director.

PROGRAM:
GEORGE BENJAMIN - At First Light
HAYDN - Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major
MOZART - Serenade in D major No. 7, K. 250, "Haffner"

Tickets, starting at $26, 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 seven of LACO's Orchestral series concerts, Discover Mozart's Requiem and three Westside Connections concerts.

DOUGLAS BOYD's international reputation as a conductor is on the rise. During his tenure as music director, he has transformed the Manchester Camerata into one of England's finest, with concerts praised for clarity, vibrancy and musicality. He serves as principal conductor of Switzerland's Musikkollegium Winterthur, and principal guest conductor with the City of London Sinfonia. He formerly held a similar post with the Colorado Symphony and was artistic partner of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Conducting highlights include the Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Toronto and Utah symphonies in North America; and the BBC, Bournemouth, Budapest Festival orchestras; Salzburg Mozarteum; Hong Kong Philharmonic and Sydney and Melbourne symphony orchestras.

STEVEN ISSERLIS enjoys a distinguished career as a soloist, chamber musician, educator and author. He appears regularly with the world's leading orchestras and conductors and gives recitals each season in major musical centers with such pianists as Stephen Hough and Jeremy Denk. A strong proponent of both period instrument performance and contemporary music, Isserlis also has keen interest in music education, having presented masterclasses around the world and written children's books about great composers. He generally performs on the Marquis de Corberon (Nelsova) Stradivarius (1726), loaned to him by the Royal Academy of Music.

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 Silent Film screening 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.

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