Salonen Returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall, 11/19-28

Esa-Pekka Salonen, the longest-serving Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall in his new post, Conductor Laureate, leading the orchestra in two programs, Friday and Saturday, November 19 and 20, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 21, at 2 p.m., as well as Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 28, at 2 p.m. 

In the first program, Salonen conducts the U.S. premiere of his friend Magnus Lindberg's Graffiti, a piece for chorus and orchestra featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The program also includes Béla Bartók's enthralling psychological drama, Bluebeard's Castle, featuring mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter as Judith, bass-baritone Sir Willard White as Bluebeard, and noted actress CCH Pounder, who serves as the speaker during the prologue to the opera.
 
For the second program of his visit, Salonen and bass-baritone Bryn Terfel partner for selections from Richard Wagner - Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, "Was duftet doch der Flieder" from Die Meistersinger, "O du mein holder Abendstern" from Tannhäuser , Ride of the Valkyries, Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire Music from Die Walküre, and Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin.  The program also includes music from the 20th century, Paul Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Weber. As with the previous week, these performances demonstrate Salonen's recognition of the composers of the 20th and 21st centuries and continual advocacy for new music.
 
All concerts are preceded by Upbeat Live pre-performance discussions which are free to ticket-holders, and occur one hour prior in BP Hall. Eric Bromberger, violinist, Fulbright nominee and recipient of a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellowship at Yale University, hosts November 19 - 21. Russell Steinberg, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra, UCLA faculty member, composer, conductor and performer, hosts November 26 - 28.
For full artist biographies, please visit:  http://www.laphil.com.
 
 
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres - orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music and pop - at two of L.A.'s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (www.laphil.com ) and the Hollywood Bowl (www.hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil's season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from October through May, and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education and community programs.

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