Violinst Nigel Armstrong Plays Bach at Baroque Conversations, 4/11

Leading young violinist Nigel Armstrong, the 2011 International Tchaikovsky Competition finalist who made his critically acclaimed Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) debut last season, returns to the Southland on Thursday, April 11, 2013, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles, to headline an all-Bach violin recital for LACO's "Baroque Conversations," a five-concert series that explores the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. Hailed as "an astonishing talent, with exquisite technique," Armstrong discusses and performs Bach's Partita No. 2 in D minor for Solo Violin, BWV 1004, a spiritual, emotional and technical tour de force considered among the greatest works ever written, and the Sonata No. 3 in C major for Solo Violin, BWV 1005. The solo recital marks Armstrong's return to his alma mater, The Colburn Conservatory, from which he graduated last year. He is currently in the Diploma program at Curtis Institute of Music. A complimentary wine reception for ticket holders begins at 6 pm.

LACO's "Baroque Conversations" explores the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. This season, the series, which concludes Thursday, May 9, 2013, spotlights the legacy of JS Bach and his sons.

Tickets ($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 the day of the concert.

NIGEL ARMSTRONG came to international attention in 2011 as a finalist in the XIV International Tchaikovsky Competition, receiving Fourth Prize and winning the prize for Best Performance of the Commissioned Work by John Corigliano with Stomp. In 2010, he achieved silver-medal wins in the Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition, held in Oslo, Norway, and the First International Violin Competition in Buenos Aires. In both competitions, he received additional prizes, including the Premio Tango in Buenos Aires and the Ole Bull and Nordheim awards in Oslo. In 2008, Armstrong received multiple prizes in the Corpus Christi International Competition, including the Howard Beebe String Award for Solo Bach Performance and Jean ten Have Award for Violin Performance. Following his solo debut with the Baroque Sinfonia in 2002, Armstrong has performed concertos and showpieces with the Boston Pops and Norwegian Radio orchestras; the Reno and Burbank philharmonic orchestras; the Berkeley and Downey symphony orchestras; Bozeman Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, Asociación de Profesores de la Orquesta Estable del Teatro Colón and the American Philharmonic of Sonoma County, with which he performed for two seasons. He made his highly acclaimed Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra debut in 2012. Highlights of Armstrong's 2010-11 season included concerto appearances with the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra, American Youth Symphony and the Colburn Orchestra under the direction of Sir Neville Marriner. He served as co-concertmaster of the Colburn Orchestra as well as concertmaster of the American Youth Symphony. A graduate of The Colburn School Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Robert Lipsett, Armstrong is currently in the Diploma program at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studies with Arnold Steinhardt and Shmuel Ashkenasi.

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 acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, hailed by critics as "visionary" and "a conductor of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity." Under Kahane's leadership, the Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers. During its 44-year history, the Orchestra has made 30 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, performed across North America and garnered seven ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. LACO presents its Orchestral Series at both the Alex Theatre and Royce Hall, Baroque Conversations at Zipper Hall, Westside Connections chamber music series at The Broad Stage, and an annual Discover concert at Ambassador Auditorium. LACO also presents a Concert Gala, an annual Silent Film screening and several fundraising salons each year. Additionally, LACO's 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.