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LACO- Composer Missy Mazzoli – THIS WEEKEND

REVIEW

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s dynamic Music Director Jaime Martin said he wanted to curate a program of a new composer with influences of the old master composers, and it was fabulous!

Martin opens with conducting Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin and the West Coast premiere of Dark with Excessive Bright for Double Bass and Strings by LACO Artist-in-Residence Missy Mazzoli. Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin was composed as a dedication to the memory of a friend lost in battle during World War I. Originally in six movements, Martin’s orchestra played four — Prelude, Forland, Menuet and Rigaudon. The movements are based on popular Baroque dances. Mazzoli’s piece is a moving spiritual piece composed for the double bass and played with fervor by LACO’s Principal Bass David Grossman.

The second part of the concert the orchestra began with Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite — a ballet written for the Ballets Russes. The influence was commedia dell’arte, an Italian improvisational theater. An interesting fact is that Pablo Picasso designed the original costumes and sets when the ballet premiered at the Paris Opera in 1920. It was a huge success and the music of the Pulcinella Suite is a pared-down version of the ballet.The Pulcinella Suite is a pared-down version of the ballet. The program closed with the genius of Prokofiev’s Symphoney No.1, “Classical” led magnificently by Martin.There was plenty of Martin’s customary finesse of conducting the orchestra from the ethereal paradisaical tones to the fortissimo. Amazing experience to be there live with this great conductor and orchestra.

This concert was on November 17, 2019, at Royce Hall.

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Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) and new Music Director Jaime Martín presents the West Coast premiere of Dark with Excessive Bright for Double Bass and Strings by LACO Artist-in-Residence Missy Mazzoli, performed by LACO Principal Bass David Grossman, on Saturday, November 16, 8 pm, at the Alex Theatre, and Sunday, November 17, 2019, 7 pm, at Royce Hall. Martín also conducts Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, “Classical.”

 

Mazzoli has been hailed as “Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart” (Time Out New York) and “one of the more consistently inventive, surprising composers now working in New York” (The New York Times). Her music has been performed around the globe by the BBC Symphony, Kronos Quartet, JACK Quartet, eighth blackbird, LA Opera, Roomful of Teeth, Britten Sinfonia, Detroit Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Sydney Symphony, Opera Philadelphia, New York City Operaamong others. Soloists who have performed her music include pianist Emanuel Ax, cellist Maya Beiser and violinist Jennifer Koh. Mazzoli, recipient of four ASCAP Young Composers Awards and a Fulbright Grant, previously served as Composer-in-Residence with Opera Philadelphia and was a Composer-Educator Partner for the Albany Symphony.

 

Grossman, appointed LACO’s Principal Bass in 2017, enjoys a multi-faceted musical career on both the East and West Coasts. Born and educated in New York City, he is a member of the New York Philharmonic, which he joined as its youngest artist in 2000. A passionate chamber musician, he performs in the New York Philharmonic Ensembles Concerts at Merkin Hall and with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, to name a few collaborative partners. In the field of jazz, he was a member of the Marcus Roberts Trio and has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Lew Tabackin, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Donald Vega. As a soloist and clinician, Grossman, who is on the faculty of Mannes School of Music, has given recitals and master classes across the country. He has released two albums (one classical and one jazz) entitled The Bass of Both Worlds.

 

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), ranked among the world’s top musical ensembles, marks an exciting new era in Southern California as it welcomes Jaime Martín in his debut year as Music Director. Martín builds upon LACO’s rich legacy as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and, with eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming, a champion of contemporary composers. Headquartered in the heart of the country’s cultural capital, LACO is “more important with each passing year,” (Los Angeles Times), “America’s finest chamber orchestra” (Public Radio International) and “one of the world’s great chamber orchestras” (KUSC Classical FM). Martín’s appearance as LACO’s Music Director Designate in early 2019 was described by the Los Angeles Times, as “a thrilling performance, and the orchestra played like it was having the time of its life,” adding, “he will make fans very quickly.” Overseas, he has been praised as “a visionary conductor, discerning and meticulous” (Platea Magazine), and London’s The Telegraph said, “his infectious enjoyment of the music communicated to the orchestra and audience alike.” The Orchestra has made 32 recordings, including, most recently, a 2019 BIS Records release of works for violin and chamber orchestra that features Concertmaster Margaret Batjer and the world premiere recording of Pierre Jalbert’s Violin Concerto (a LACO co-commission). LACO, with offices located in downtown Los Angeles, has toured Europe, South America and Japan, and performed across North America.

 

Steinway is the official piano of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

 

Concert Preludes, pre-concert talks held one hour before curtain and free for ticket holders, provide insights into the program’s music and artists.

Tickets start at $28 and may be purchased online at laco.org or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001 x1. Discounted tickets are also available by phone for seniors 65 years of age and older and groups of 12 or more. Students with valid student ID may purchase discounted tickets ($8), based on availability.

 

Editors, please note:

 

WHAT:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Pulcinella & Prokofiev

Jaime Martín, conductor

David Grossman, double bass

 

WHEN/WHERE:

Saturday, November 16, 2019, 8 pm, Alex Theatre, 216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale CA 91203

Sunday, November 17, 2019, 7 pm, Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095

 

PROGRAM:

RAVEL                         Le tombeau de Couperin

MISSY MAZZOLI          Dark with Excessive Bright for Double Bass and Strings (West Coast Premiere)

STRAVINSKY              Pulcinella Suite

PROKOFIEV                Symphony No. 1, “Classical”

 

CONCERT PRELUDES:
7 pm (Alex Theatre)
6 pm (Royce Hall)
One hour before curtain, pre-concert talks provide insights into the music and artists.  Free for all ticket holders

TICKETS/INFO:
Tickets start at $28.  For information about the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2018-19 season or to order tickets, please call 213 622 7001, or visit www.laco.org

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