Esa-Pekka Salonen Returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall

Los Angeles Philharmonic Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall to lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the LA Phil-commissioned world premiere of Anders Hillborg's Sirens, today, November 25, and Saturday, November 26, at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday, November 27, at 2 p.m. The program also includes two works by Beethoven, Leonore Overture No. 2 and Piano Concerto No. 2, which features Emanuel Ax.

Hillborg's Sirens is dedicated to Salonen and in memory of Betty Freeman. The text in the piece is derived from different English translations of The Siren Song from The Odyssey by Homer, with additional text written by the composer. Soprano Hila Plitmann, mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter and the Los Angeles Master Chorale perform in the work.

Conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen has been Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Philharmonia Orchestra London since 2008 and Artistic Director of the Baltic Sea Festival since 2003. He was Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 17 seasons, and has held the title of Conductor Laureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since 2009.

Emmanuel Ax, close friend and frequent collaborator of Salonen, has been an exclusive Sony Classical recording artist since 1987. Among the many highlights of his 2011/12 season he will collaborate with the San Francisco Symphony in the "American Mavericks" festival presented in San Francisco, Ann Arbor, MI and Carnegie Hall, NY. As curator and participant with the Chicago Symphony for a two-week spring residency, "Keys to the City," he will perform in multiple roles as leader in a festival celebrating the many varied facets of the piano.

Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plitmann has quickly become a major force on the international music scene. She regularly premieres works by today's leading composers while maintaining a vibrant and extraordinarily diverse professional life in film music, musical theatre, and song writing. She performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall in a Green Umbrella concert under the direction of Salonen during his final season as LA Phil Music Director, and most recently appeared at Walt Disney Concert Hall in April of 2011 as part of the Aspects of Adès Festival.

Internationally-acclaimed mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter is one of the finest singers of her generation. Her relationship with Deutsche Grammophon produced a wealth of recordings and numerous awards including: Recording Artist of the Year, International Record Critics Association; and a Grammy for best classical vocal performance for Mahler's Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Her second recording under her exclusive contract with Naïve, Les nuits d'été with Marc Minkowski and Les Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble, was released in October 2011. Von Otter last performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall during Salonen's visit in November of 2010.

Giving a voice to Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy-nominated Los Angeles Master Chorale, considered one of the world's leading choirs, is led by Music Director Grant Gershon. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, "Under Gershon, the Master Chorale seems to be able to master anything."

Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place in Walt Disney Concert Hall's BP Hall one hour prior to performances, and are free to all ticket holders. Lucinda Carver, pianist, harpsichordist, conductor and professor at the USC Thornton School of Music, hosts.

Complete program:

BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 2
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2
HILLBORG Sirens (world premiere, LAPA commission)

For more information and complete artist biographies, please visit: www.laphil.com

Saturday's concert is generously sponsored by Acura - all Acura vehicles park free for the evening.

WHO: LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN, conductor
EMANUEL AX, piano
Hila Plitmann, soprano
ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER, mezzo-soprano
LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE
Grant Gershon, music director

WHEN: Friday, November 25, 2011, at 8 PM
Saturday, November 26, 2011, at 8 PM
Sunday, November 27, 2011, at 2 PM

WHERE: Walt Disney CONCERT HALL
111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

TICKETS: Subscriptions and single tickets for the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2011/12 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall are currently available. To purchase, please visit LAPhil.com, the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. To order by phone with credit card, please call the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office at 323.850.2000, or Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000. For more information, please call 323.850.2000.

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