LACO Sets Table for Foodies and Classical Music Lovers

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) steps outside the proverbial music "box" to dish up a feast for foodies and classical music lovers alike at its "Westside Connections" chamber music series with a menu that pairs LACO's virtuosic musicians with iconic food writer Jonathan Gold, chef/restaurateur SUSAN FENIGER and culinary writer, chef and food philosopher MICHAEL RUHLMAN for an exploration of the relationship between music and culinary arts at Santa Monica's Broad Stage.  Showcased on the menu for the three-concert Thursday-night series, curated by LACO Concertmaster Margaret Batjer, are LACO's musicians and conversations with Gold, Feniger and Ruhlman, who discuss the food-themed music as well as the talent, techniques and artistic expression involved in gastronomy.  Each evening includes an opportunity for audience questions.

"Good food and good music are a natural pairing," says Batjer.  "LACO is delighted to present these stellar culinary celebrities as we explore in these whimsical and informative programs the many ways music influences and enriches society and our lives."

"Westside Connections" begins Thursday, March 1, 2012, 7:30 p.m., with culinary authority Michael Ruhlman (Soul of a Chef, Ruhlman's Twenty) and music of Rossini, Puccini, Falla and Paul Schoenfield.  On Thursday, March 22, 2012, 7:30 p.m, iconic Pulitzer Prize-winning LA Weekly food critic Jonathan Gold joins a program with music by Bach, Bernstein, William Bolcom, Timothy Andres and Dohnányi.  "Westside Connections'" final "course" on Thursday, April 5, 2012, 7:30 pm, features celebrated chef, cookbook author and restaurateur Susan Feniger (Border Grill restaurants, Border Grill Truck and Susan Feniger's STREET) and the music of Saint-Saëns, Martin? and Ravel. Now in its 4th season, the "Westside Connections" series has previously
explored the effects of music on the mind, poetry and the creative process.

Thursday, March 1, 2012, 7:30 pm
Michael Ruhlman, special guest

ROSSINI String Sonata No. 1 in G major
PUCCINI Crisantemi ("Chrysanthemums")
FALLA Suite Populaire Espagnole (arr. for Violin and Piano from "Popular
   Spanish Songs" by Kochanski)
PAUL SCHOENFIELD Café Music

Thursday, March 22, 2012, 7:30 pm
Jonathan Gold, special guest
Elissa Johnston, soprano

BACH "Ich esse mit Freuden" ("I eat with joy"), from Cantata No. 84
BERNSTEIN La Bonne Cuisine – Four Recipes for Voice and Piano
William Bolcom Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise
TIMOTHY ANDRES Sorbet
DOHNÁNYI Sextet in C major for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Clarinet and
Horn, Op. 37

Thursday, April 5, 2012, 7:30 pm,
Susan Feniger, special guest

SAINT-SAËNS Fantaisie for Violin and Harp, Op. 124
MARTINU La Revue de Cuisine, Jazz suite for Clarinet, Bassoon, Trumpet,
Violin, Cello    and Piano, H. 161
RAVEL String Quartet in F major

Westside Connections is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation. These concerts are also sponsored by the Faucett Family Foundation, Ann Moore Mulally, A Friend of LACO and K. Eugene Shutler.

"Westside Connections" tickets ($45 per concert or $120 for a 3-concert subscription) are on sale now and may be purchased online at laco.org, by calling LACO at 213 622 7001 x 1, or at the venue box office on the night of the concert, if tickets remain.  Discounted tickets are also available by phone for groups of 12 or more.  The Broad Stage is located at 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90401.

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