WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6 AT 8 PM
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's annual Deck the Hall series of holiday concerts debuts this year with Christmas with The Canadian Brass, a program of "good cheer and musical hijinks" featuring the quintet renowned for their unique blend of virtuosity and comedy on Wednesday, December 6 at 8 p.m., at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The concert features J.S. Bach's Air pour les trompettes (arr. Allen) and Four Pieces from the Notebook of Anna Magdelana (arr. Dedrick), Bach's arrangement of Vivaldi's Concerto in D major (arr. by Burgstaller), Malcolm Forsythe's The Golayardes' Ground, highlights from Bizet's Carmen (arr. Mills), selections from the Glenn Miller Songbook (arr. Christopher Dedrick), and Christmas and Hanukkah music.
For more than three decades, Canadian Brass has continued to fill concert halls and thrill audiences around the world. Now in its 36th season, the quintet is comprised of Josef Burgstaller and Jeroen Berwaerts, trumpets, Bernhard Scully, horn; Eugene Watts, trombone; and Chuck Daellenbach, tuba. They have performed with major symphony orchestras in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Japan and have gained an international following with performances that offer a variety of musical styles. The group has a long history of recording classical repertoire with a special affinity for Baroque music. Their more-than-60 recordings include works by Purcell, Vivaldi, Gabrieli, Pachelbel, Beethoven, Wagner, and J. S. Bach. In addition to presenting works in the classical repertoire, they offer jazz, contemporary concert music, and popular songs.
Deck the Hall, presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, is a series of festive performances throughout the month of December (including two concerts on New Year's Eve) featuring an array of artists offering exceptional seasonal music. Other Deck the Hall presentations include the Holiday Organ Spectacular on Wednesday, December 13, 8 p.m.; 'Twas the Week Before Christmas, the annual family concert, on Friday, December 15, 8 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2, p.m., and Sunday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.; A Chanticleer Christmas on Tuesday, December 19, 8 p.m.; The Klezmatics: Happy Joyous Hanukkah on Thursday, December 21, 8 p.m.; Escovedo Family's Latin Holiday Celebration on Friday, December 22, 8 p.m.; Holiday Sing-Along on Saturday, December 23, 2 p.m.; The Blind Boys of Alabama on Saturday, December 23, 8 p.m.; and two New Year's Eve performances by Lyle Lovett at 7 and 10:30 p.m.
THE CANADIAN BRASS sprang from modest and highly experimental roots in Toronto, Ontario, in 1970, a time when the brass quintet was not established as a serious concert ensemble, which proved an irresistible challenge to original members Gene Watts and Chuck Daellenbach. Their imagination and consummate musicianship eventually elevated the art of the brass quintet to what it is today. Thanks to their pioneer status, the quintet developed a unique character and rapport with audiences that proved so successful that it has been emulated by many other ensembles. Canadian Brass master the gamut of concert presentations, from formal classical concerts to music served up with lively dialog and theatrical effects. No matter what the style, the music is central and performed with utmost dedication and excellence. Having started with the very limited base of traditional works for brass, Canadian Brass set out to create their own musical world by transcribing, arranging, and commissioning more than 200 works. Millions of television viewers have seen the Canadian Brass on The Tonight Show, Today, and Entertainment Tonight. They have appeared as guest artists on Evening at Pops with John Williams and the Boston Pops, Beverly Sills' Music Around the World, and numerous PBS specials. The quintet has also created eight videos that have gained an international audience, and a DVD has just been released that captures the group in performance over three decades. All members of Canadian Brass are keenly interested in training the next generation of players, and they often present master classes during their travels around the world. They are chamber quintet-in-residence at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, and they have created an innovative brass summer course at the Eastman School of Music. The group has also been invited by the Canadian Government to play for visiting heads of states on numerous official occasions.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places 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 programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2006, AT 8 PM
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Christmas with Canadian Brass
CANADIAN BRASS
JOSEF BURGSTALLER, trumpet
JEROEN BERWAERTS, trumpet
BERNHARD SCULLY, horn
EUGENE WATTS, trombone
CHARLES DAELLENBACH, tuba
Tickets ($23-$69) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. 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 all information, please call 323.850.2000.
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Adam Crane, 213.972.3422; Laura Stegman, 310.470.6321; Photos: 213.972.3034