Thomas Dausgaard, principal conductor of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, chief conductor designate of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Seattle Symphony, makes his Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra debut guest conducting the West Coast premiere of A Freak in Burbank, a romping homage to filmmaker Tim Burton by Swedish composer Albert Schnelzer, on Saturday, October 29, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and Sunday, October 30, 2016, 7 pm, at UCLA's Royce Hall. Dausgaard also conducts Beethoven's inventive and heroic Symphony No. 3, "Eroica," and six of Sibelius's Humoresques for violin and orchestra, featuring Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud, praised for his "utter brilliance" (The Strad).
Dausgaard, a conductor hailed for his "clarity, energy and momentum" (Classical Source) who "draws a spectrum of colors from the orchestra" (The New York Times), is renowned for his creativity and innovation in programming, the excitement of his live performances, and his extensive catalogue of critically-acclaimed recordings. Regularly appearing with many of the world's leading orchestras, he began his North American career assisting Seiji Ozawa. In addition to his other orchestral positions, Dausgaard is honorary conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, having previously served as its principal conductor from 2004 to 2011. Kraggerud, co-artistic director of the Risør Festival of Chamber Music, artistic director of the Arctic Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and one of Scandinavia's most versatile violinists, makes his first LACO appearance in 12 years. He is noted for performances that are "beautifully clean, superbly articulated...full of character and wit" (The Strad). Also an innovative improviser and composer, Henning's recent recording,Last Spring, is a unique collaboration with Norwegian jazz pianist Bugge Wesseltoft exploring improvisations on Norwegian folk music with classical and jazz elements.Videos