LACO Music Director Jeffrey Kahane Performs Bach's Goldberg Variations at Zipper Hall Tonight

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) Music Director and celebrated pianist Jeffrey Kahane performs Bach's timeless Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, one of the most important and well-known works of the variation form ever composed, in LACO's Baroque Conversations series tonight, May 1, 2014, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times described a previous performance of this work by Kahane as a "luminous rendering [that] created an open window into the music's inner majesty, illuminating the complexities of Bach's compositional thinking while cruising impressively across its often stormy technical demands." A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

LACO's highly regarded "Baroque Conversations," now in its eighth year, explores the genesis of orchestral, chamber and solo repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. This year the series spotlights how Baroque composers transformed a simple theme or melody into grand, complex and intricate variations and, ultimately, great music. 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 for individual concerts (beginning at $55) 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. Student rush tickets ($10), based on availability, may be purchased at the box office one hour before the concert.

Equally at home at the keyboard and on the podium, JEFFREY KAHANE 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. The 2013-14 season marks Kahane's 17th season as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's music director. 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. In addition to his programs and projects with LACO, recent and upcoming engagements include appearances at the Aspen, Mostly Mozart, Ravinia, Blossom, Music@Menlo, Chamber Music Northwest and Oregon Bach festivals; recitals in Salt Lake City, Scottsdale, Carmel and at the Laguna Beach Festival; concerto performances with the Toronto, Indianapolis, Houston, Oregon and Colorado symphonies and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra; play/conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the San Francisco, National, Vancouver, Seattle and New Jersey symphonies; and conducting the New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra in Boston and the Juilliard Orchestra at Lincoln Center. Kahane's recent and upcoming European engagements include play/conduct programs with the Camerata Salzburg, Hamburg Symphony and the Real Filharmonía de Galicia in Spain as well as appearances at the Meck-Pomm Chamber Music Festival in Germany.