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  • CONDUCTOR EDO DE WAART LEADS THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC AND ACCLAIMED PIANIST JOYCE YANG IN THREE PERFORMANCES OF BEETHOVEN’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 3 AT WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
  • Mar. 12, 2010
  • PROGRAM UPDATE: Joyce Yang Replaces Truls Mørk, who was Originally Scheduled to Perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto
    Program also Includes Qigang Chen’s The Five Elements and Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life)

    FRIDAY, march 12, 2010, AT 8 PM
    SATURDAY, march 13, 2010, AT 8 PM
    SUNDAY, march 14, 2010, AT 2 PM

    Edo de Waart leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic and acclaimed pianist Joyce Yang in three performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, Friday, March 12 at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 13 at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday, March 14 at 2 p.m. Also on the program are Qigang Chen’s The Five Elements and Strauss’ Ein Eldenleben (A Hero’s Life). Yang replaces cellist Truls Mørk who was originally scheduled to perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

    All three performances begin with Qigang Chen’s The Five Elements, a small suite of five two-minute movements with each movement representing the five elements that constitute the universe: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. According to the foreword in the printed score, water is the strongest element for Chen, and characterized by calmness. Wood is the richest element, with a lot of variations; fire represents life (warm, but not aggressive); earth, a generative principle, is the matrix; and metal refers to strength and light.

    The program continues with Korean virtuoso pianist and Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Silver Medalist, Joyce Yang joining the LA Phil for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37. Composed in 1803, the Concerto bridges the divide between Beethoven’s two earlier, more clearly Mozart-derived concertos and a more personal style, while simultaneously showing a keen awareness of Mozart’s most Beethoven-like concerto, K. 491, in the same key of C minor.

    Concluding all three performances is Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life), composed in 1898. The first word of the score’s existence came in a letter written by the composer dated July 25, 1898: “Since Beethoven’s Eroicais so unpopular with our conductors today and hence rarely performed, I am filling the void with a tone poem of substantial length on a similar theme. It is entitled ‘A Hero’s Life,’ and while it has no funeral march, it does have lots of horns, horns being quite the thing to express heroism. Thanks to the healthy country air, my sketch has progressed well and I hope to finish by New Year’s day.” Strauss did finish on December 27 and conducted the premiere in Frankfurt in March of the following year.

    Edo de Waart is Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest in Holland. Beginning in the 2010/11 season he becomes an Artistic Partner of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
    Critically acclaimed as “the most gifted young pianist of her generation” with a “million-volt stage presence,” pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences around the globe with her stunning virtuosity combined with heartfelt lyricism and interpretive sensitivity. At only 23, she has established herself as one of the leading artists of her generation through her innovative solo recitals and notable collaborations with the world’s most prestigious orchestras. Yang made her LA Phil debut at the Hollywood Bowl in September of 2009.
    Each concert is preceded by Upbeat Live discussions which are free to ticket-holders, and occur in BP Hall one hour prior to the performances. Veronika Krausas, composer and Professor at Thornton School of Music at USC, hosts.
    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.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
    FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010, AT 8 PM
    SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2010, AT 8 PM
    SUNDAY, MARCH 14, 2010, AT 2 PM
    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
    111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

    LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
    EDO DE WAART, conductor 
    JOYCE YANG, piano

    Qigang CHEN The Five Elements
    BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
    STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben (A Hero’s Life)

    The concerts are preceded by Upbeat Live discussions which are free to ticket-holders, and occur in BP Hall one hour prior to the performances. Veronika Krausas, composer and Professor at Thornton School of Music at USC, hosts.

    Tickets ($42 - $160) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card by phone at 323.850.2000. When available, choral bench seats ($17) will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Series, and Baroque Variations performances beginning at noon on the Tuesday of the second week prior to the concert. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For information, please call 323.850.2000.

  • Contact:

    Sophie Jefferies, sjefferies@laphil.org, 213.972.3422; Lisa White, lwhite@laphil.org, 213.972.3408; Photos: 213.972.3034