LACO's BAROQUE CONVERSATIONS Features Violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock, 4/17

Concertos by Vivaldi, Telemann and Handel are illuminated as part of LACO's "Baroque Conversations" series featuring widely admired Baroque violinist Elizabeth Blumenstock, concertmaster and leader of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, on Thursday, April 17, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. The program includes Vivaldi's Concerto in F minor for Strings, RV 143; Concerto in E minor for Violin, Strings and Continuo, "Il Favorito", Op. 11, No. 2; and Concerto in D minor for Two Violins, Two Flutes, Two Oboes, Bassoon, Strings and Continuo, RV 566; Telemann's Concerto in G major for Four Violins, TWV 40:201; and Handel's Concerto Grosso in C major, "Alexander's Feast", HWV 318. Blumenstock is joined by members of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

LACO's highly regarded "Baroque Conversations," now it its eighth year, explores the genesis of orchestral 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 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. A complimentary wine reception for all ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

The "Baroque Conversations" series concludes on May 1, 2014 when LACO Music Director and esteemed pianist Jeffrey Kahane performs Bach's Goldberg Variations.

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.

ELIZABETH BLUMENSTOCK has played with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra since 1981 as a regular soloist, concertmaster and leader. Blumenstock is also a regular concertmaster with American Bach Soloists, the Göttingen Händelfestspiel Orchestra and the Italian ensemble Il Complesso Barocco. She has performed throughout the United States and abroad, appearing with the Boston and Berkeley Early Music Festivals, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Los Angeles Opera, among many others. An active and enthusiastic teacher, Blumenstock is instructor of baroque violin at the International Baroque Institute at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts and is on the teaching staff of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

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 of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity" with "undeniable charisma." Under Kahane's leadership, the Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers. During its 45-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 at Glendale's Alex Theatre and 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.