Matthew Halls to Conduct Cellist Joshua Roman with LA Chamber Orchestra

Oregon Bach Festival Music Director Matthew Halls conducts the Los Angeles premiere of San Francisco-based composer Mason Bates's first Cello Concerto, written for and performed by Joshua Roman, with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) on Saturday, April 16, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and Sunday, April 17, 2016, 7 pm at UCLA's Royce Hall. Bates's piece, which highlights his sensibilities as composer-in-residence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as well as a DJ, has been lauded as a tapestry of "classical lyricism and melody combining fluidly with blues, jazz elements, and techno rhythms that come straight from the 21st-century electronic club scene" (Classical Voice North America). Halls also conducts Haydn's popular Symphony No. 101 in D major, "The Clock," and Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 in D major, "Classical," both signature works of LACO's repertoire. Making his third LACO guest appearance, Halls has been heralded for his "ironclad command of the smallest details in the score" (Toronto Star). Roman, making his LACO debut, was chosen a TED Fellow for his ongoing creative initiatives on behalf of classical music and is recognized as an accomplished composer, curator and programmer with a vision to expand the classical music audience. He has been hailed as an "ascendant rock star of the cello world" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer). Bates' Cello Concerto was commissioned by Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

The concert launches a two-week guest artist residency for Roman that encompasses engagement with live and virtual audiences through pre-concert talks; a cello masterclass at North Hollywood High on April 19; a special in-school program at Hoover Street Elementary School in Los Angeles on April 20; a free performance at Amoeba Music in Hollywood on April 20, 7 pm; a solo cello recital on LACO's Baroque Conversations series on April 21, at 7 pm, at Zipper Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles; an appearance with Orchestra members at the 6th Annual Hear Now Music Festival on April 23, 8 pm, at First Lutheran Church of Venice; a preview podcast and recording, including posting a short video from an iconic Southland location as part of Roman's Everyday Bach series (www.youtube.com/user/JoshuaRomanCello). Roman's Guest Artist Residency with LACO is made possible, in part, by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.

Roman is recognized as an accomplished composer, curator and programmer, particularly in his work as artistic director of Seattle Town Hall's TownMusic series, with a vision to engage and expand the classical music audience. Before embarking on a solo career, Roman spent two seasons as principal cello of the Seattle Symphony, a position he won in 2006 at the age of 22. Since that time he has appeared as a soloist with the San Francisco, Seattle and New World symphonies; the Los Angeles Philharmonic; the BBC Scottish and Alabama symphony orchestras; the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra and Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional del Ecuador.

Halls first came to prominence as a keyboard player and early music conductor but has become equally known for his dynamic and intelligent work with major symphony orchestras and opera companies, and for his probing and vibrant interpretations of music of all periods. His many international engagements include the Cleveland and Salzburg Mozarteum orchestras, BBC Scottish and Frankfurt Radio symphonies, and the Seattle and Melbourne symphony orchestras. The 2014 season marked his first as artistic director of the Oregon Bach Festival. Halls's recordings include a set of four Bach Harpsichord Con¬certos (Linn Records) and Bach's Easter and Ascension oratorios, as well as award-winning discs of Handel's Parnasso in Festa (Hyperion) and Purcell's Sonatas in Three and Four Parts. Educated at Oxford University, Halls taught at the University for five years, and has held positions as artistic director of the King's Consort and the Retrospect Ensemble, which he founded in 2009. He is also passionately committed to education and working with young musicians.

Concert Preludes, pre-concert talks held one hour before curtain and free for ticket holders, provide insights into the program's music and artists. Cellist Joshua Roman will be a featured speaker.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is considered one of the world's premier chamber orchestras as well as a pacesetter in presenting wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissions. Its 2015-16 season, features a compelling mix of beloved masterpieces and genre-defying premieres from firmly established as well as notable up-and-coming composers programmed by Jeffrey Kahane, one of the world's foremost conductors and pianists, who marks his 19th season as LACO's music director.

Steinway is the official piano of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Tickets, starting at $27, are on sale now and may be purchased online at laco.org or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001. Discounted tickets are also available by phone for seniors 65 years of age and older and groups of 12 or more. College students may purchase student rush tickets ($12), based on availability, at the box office the day of the concert. Also available for college students is the $30 "Campus to Concert Hall All Access Pass" - good for all seven of LACO's Orchestral series concerts, Discover Bach's Cantata "Sleepers Awake" and three Westside Connections concerts.