Bach and Sons Set for LA Chamber Orchestra's BAROQUE CONVERSATIONS, 5/9

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) enlightening "Baroque Conversations" series showcasing exceptional Baroque gems concludes with a program of works by Bach and two of his sons on Thursday, May 9, 2013, 7 pm, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

LACO Concertmaster Margaret Batjer leads the Orchestra from the first chair in all four works on the program and doubles as the violin soloist for the concluding work, Johann Sebastian Bach's Violin Concerto No. 2 in E major, BWV 1042. A second JS Bach concerto, Oboe d'amore Concerto in A major (orig. Harpsichord Concerto No. 4), BWV 1055, features LACO Principal Oboe Allan Vogel. Also highlighted are the Sinfonia in D major, Op. 3, No. 1, by Bach's 11th and youngest son, Johann Christian Bach, and the Sinfonia in D minor, "Adagio and Fugue," FK 65, by his second son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach.

In addition to the performance, the event includes an engaging discussion by the artists of the program and audience questions. 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 spotlighting the musical 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.

MARGARET BATJER has served as concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1998. Throughout her successful career as soloist, chamber musician, teacher and concertmaster, she has established herself as a versatile and respected artist worldwide. Batjer made her first solo appearance at the age of 15 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO). She has since returned to the CSO and soloed with a succession of major orchestras, including The Philadelphia Orchestra and the St. Louis, Seattle and Dallas symphony orchestras. Batjer has performed with such European ensembles as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Prague Chamber Orchestra and Berlin Symphony Orchestra. As an esteemed chamber musician, she appears regularly at the Marlboro Music Festival, La Jolla Summerfest, Salzburg Festival, and Italy's Naples and Cremona festivals. In 2008, she developed LACO's acclaimed chamber music series, Westside Connections. Among her many noteworthy recordings, Batjer has twice recorded Bach's Concerto for Two Violins: for the Philips label with Salvatore Accardo and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and in 2003, paired as soloist with Hilary Hahn for Deutsche Grammophon with Jeffrey Kahane conducting the LA Chamber Orchestra. Batjer is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music where she studied with Ivan Galamian and David Cerone. She joined the faculty of the USC Thornton School of Music in 2005.

ALLAN VOGEL is one of America's leading wind soloists and chamber musicians. He joined the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra in 1972 and became principal oboe in 1974. Vogel has been guest principal oboe with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for concerts in the major European capitals, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and Boston Symphony Hall. He has also performed with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Berlin and Los Angeles philharmonic orchestras. He also performed at the White House during the last state dinner of the Clinton presidency. His discography includes a solo recording on the Delos label, Oboe Obsession (virtuoso romantic works), which has been called "the single finest disc of oboe music ever recorded" (American Record Guide). In 2003, he recorded the Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin with Hilary Hahn and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra under music director Jeffrey Kahane. Renowned for his performances of the Baroque literature, Vogel serves on the advisory board of the American Bach Society and is a member of Bach's Circle Baroque Ensemble. He is on the faculty of California Institute of the Arts, University of Southern California and Colburn Conservatory of Music. He graduated from Harvard with a BA in literature, won a Fulbright Grant to study in Germany and received a DMA from Yale.

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.

Pictured: Margaret Batjer. Photo Credit: Michael Burke.

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