Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Performs World Premiere of James Newton Howard's Concerto

Concerto Features LACO Principal Cello Andrew Shulman;

Program Also Includes Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 14 

and Symphony No. 36, “Linz,”
plus Gabriella Smith’s Riprap 

with Principal Timpani Wade Culbreath

  

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra performs the world premiere of prolific Grammy®-, Emmy®- and Academy® Award-nominated composer James Newton Howard's Concerto for Orchestra & Cello, a LACO commission, led by Conductor Laureate Jeffrey Kahane on Saturday, March 23, 8 p.m., at the Alex Theatre, and Sunday, March 24, 2019, 7 p.m., at Royce Hall. Newton Howard's work, underwritten by and dedicated to Maurice Marciano, was written for and spotlights Principal Cello Andrew Shulman. Kahane also leads Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 14, conducting from the keyboard, and Symphony No. 36, "Linz.” LACO Principal Timpani/Percussion Wade Culbreath takes center stage on marimba for Gabriella Smith's Riprap for marimba and strings.

Newton Howard, one of the most versatile and respected composers currently working in film, has composed scores for more than 120 films during his 30-year career, including the Oscar-nominated scores for Defiance, Michael Clayton, The Village, The Fugitive, The Prince of Tides and My Best Friend’s Wedding. He also received Golden Globe nominations for his massive orchestral score for Peter Jackson’s blockbuster remake of King Kong, his symphonic score for Defiance, and his songs from Junior and One Fine Day. He won the 2009 Grammy Award for his co-score with Hans Zimmer for The Dark Night. In addition, he won an Emmy for the theme to the Andre Braugher series Gideon’s Crossing and received two additional Emmy nominations for the themes to the long-running Warner Bros. series ER and the Ving Rhames series Men. In 2008, World Soundtrack Award named him Film Composer of the Year for his work on the films Charlie Wilson’s War, Michael Clayton and I Am Legend, and he has received BMI’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Newton Howard has also written extensively for classical music artists and ensembles and has worked with popular music legends Elton John, Rod Stewart, and Chaka Khan, among others.

Kahane, equally at home at the keyboard, on the podium and as a soloist with major orchestras around the world, stepped down as LACO’s Music Director in 2017 following a highly successful 20-year tenure. He has established an international reputation as a truly versatile artist, recognized by audiences around the world for his mastery of a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to Gershwin, Golijov and John Adams.

Shulman, who is the first British winner of the Piatigorsky Award and was made an Honorary RCM by the late Queen Mother, has been hailed for playing that is “always eloquent and passionate” (Los Angeles Times). He has performed concertos with the Philharmonia, ASMF, CBSO, BBC Scottish, Utah and Singapore Symphonies, and Los Angeles and Royal Liverpool philharmonics. He has given recitals in Wigmore Hall, the Royal Palace, Stockholm, and Buckingham Palace, London, and he has performed Strauss’s Don Quixote with Rattle in London and Salonen at the Hollywood Bowl. He is a regular guest at the Aspen, Aldeburgh, Bath, Edinburgh, Mainly Mozart and La Jolla festivals. Shulman’s solo and chamber recordings span 35 CDs, including the Britten Quartet’s complete discography, Vivaldi concertos for Virgin and Janacek for EMI.

Culbreath, appointed LACO Principal Timpanist-Percussionist in 2009, also serves as the principal percussionist for the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and principal timpani with the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra. As a session musician, he has performed on hundreds of soundtracks, including the Academy® Award-winning scores for Aladdin, La La Land and Life of Pi.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) ranks among the world’s top musical ensembles. Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Orchestra is known as a champion of contemporary composers, with eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming, as well as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks. Headquartered in the heart of the country's cultural capital, LACO has been proclaimed “America’s finest chamber orchestra” (Public Radio International), “LA’s most unintimidating chamber music experience” (Los Angeles magazine), “resplendent” (Los Angeles Times) and “one of the world's great chamber orchestras"(KUSC Classical FM). Performing throughout greater Los Angeles, the Orchestra presents orchestral, Baroque and chamber concerts, as well as salon evenings in private spaces and unique experiences that explore classical music's cutting-edge sounds. LACO's long history of educational outreach encompasses programs integral to its mission of nurturing future musicians and composers as well as inspiring a love of classical music. Jaime Martín praised as "a visionary conductor, discerning and meticulous" (Platea Magazine), is LACO’s Music Director Designate and takes the podium as Music Director in the 2019-20 season.

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 for concerts at Alex Theatre and Royce Hall 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.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, “Kahane on Mozart,” Jeffrey Kahane, conductor/piano, Andrew Shulman, cello

Wade Culbreath, marimba; Saturday, March 23, 2019, 8 p.m., Alex Theatre, 216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale CA 91203; Sunday, March 24, 2019, 7 p.m., Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095

PROGRAM:
MOZART                                              Piano Concerto No. 14

JAMES NEWTON HOWARD                 Concerto for Orchestra & Cello (World Premiere; LACO
                                                               commission)
GABRIELLA SMITH                              Riprap for Marimba and Strings
MOZART                                              Symphony No. 36, “Linz”

CONCERT PRELUDES:

7 p.m. (Alex Theatre)
6 p.m. (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 visitwww.laco.org