The LA Phil and City of Los Angeles Pay Tribute to Ernest Fleischmann 3/29

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association hosts a special free concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall, in honor of Ernest Fleischmann, former LA Phil Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Tuesday, March 29, at 8 p.m. "A Tribute to Ernest" presents the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, LA Phil Conductor Laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen, Composer Pierre Boulez, LA Phil Associate Conductor Lionel Bringuier, the Los AngeLes Children's Chorus, as well as tenor Daniel Chaney, tenor Grant Gershon, baritone Abdiel Gonzalez and bass Reid Bruton. Earlier that same day, at 1 p.m., the City of Los Angeles, names the intersection of 1st and Grand Avenue, between the venues of the Music Center, Ernest Fleischmann Square. Fleischmann, whose history with the LA Phil dates back to 1969, passed away June 13, 2010, at the age of 85.

The tribute concert begins with Boulez' Sur Incises, performed by a guest ensemble of three harps, three pianos and three percussion, and led by the composer. Next on the program is the U.S. premiere of Salonen's Dona Nobis Pacem with the Los AngeLes Children's Chorus (LACC), conducted by LACC Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson. The program continues with Donatoni's Arpèges, conducted by Bringuier, and closes with Stravinsky's Renard, led by Salonen and featuring singers Chaney, Gershon, Gonzalez and Bruton.

"We honor our dear friend and colleague Ernest Fleischmann with an unusual program but clearly one that he might well have selected himself. At the very least we certainly hope he approves from wherever he is listening. It celebrates the visionary spirit and elegant taste of a giant upon whose shoulders we all stand. A day does not go by that I do not think of him and miss his remarkable presence," says LA Phil President and CEO Deborah Borda.

During his 29-year tenure with the LA Phil, Fleischmann helped catapult the organization into the upper echelon of American orchestras. He also played a pivotal role in the process of commissioning and building the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The City of Los Angeles named Ernest Fleischmann its First Living Cultural Treasure when he stepped down from his position with the LA Phil in 1998. After his official resignation from the LA Phil, Fleischmann remained an Honorary Life Director.

For full artist biographies, please visit: http://www.laphil.com.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Gustavo Dudamel, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable locations anywhere to experience music - Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association's involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational concerts, children's programming and community concerts, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

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