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  • WDCH
  • ORGANIST LÁSZLÓ FASSANG, HERALDED FOR HIS IMPROVISATIONAL STYLE AND HIS PERFORMANCES OF BACH, GIVES RECITAL AT WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
  • Feb. 11, 2007
  • Concert is Part of Los Angeles Philharmonic's Organ Recital Series

    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007, AT 7:30 PM

    László Fassang, a major young talent in the international organ world, performs as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Organ Recital series on Sunday, February 11, 2007, 7:30 p.m., at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Budapest-born, Fassang has received critical acclaim, particularly for his performances of Bach's works. A critic at the Calgary Herald wrote, "Fassang's performance of the D Major Prelude and Fugue, one of the most treacherous of the major Bach works, was a true marvel." Fassang is also known for his improvisational style, which demonstrates the versatility of the organ through the incorporation of jazz and folk music influences.

    The concert's program features Bach's Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564; five of Brahms' Chorale Preludes; Liszt's Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H; Bach's Chaconne from Partita in D Minor, BWV 1004, adapted by Messerer; four of Brahms' Hungarian Dances arranged by Fassang; and Fassang's own Improvisation.

    Musicologist Thomas Neenan discusses the concert program at "Upbeat Live," a free event in BP Hall open to all ticket holders held one hour before the performance.

    This season's Organ Recital series began on Halloween in 2006 with the now-annual silent film event featuring organist Clark Wilson performing live accompaniment to the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and a recital in November by Jane Parker-Smith. It continues with two other programs by visiting organists: Paul Jacobs (March 18, 2007), and Simon Preston (May 20, 2007).

    Since 2002, LÁSZLÓ FASSANG has won several prizes at major international organ competitions including the coveted Grand Prix de Chartres in 2004. He also was the 2002 Improvisation Gold Medal winner at the Royal Bank Calgary International Organ Festival and Competition (August 2002) and winner of the Deuxième Grand Prix d'Improvisation and the Duruflé prize at the 4th International Competition of the City of Paris (November 2002). Fassang was born into a musical family and began to study the organ at age of 13 under the tutelage of István Baróti. He graduated from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in 1998, having studied piano under Ilona Prunyi and organ with István Ruppert. Fassang then entered the Paris Conservatory, where he studied organ with Olivier Latry and Michel Bouvard, as well as improvisation under Loïc Mallié, Philippe Lefebvre and Thierry Escaich. In 1993, he won first prize at the Zoltán Gárdonyi Memorial Competition in Budapest, and in 1998 took second prize at the Györ International Organ Competition in Hungary. In 2000, Fassang took a one-year sabbatical to become the resident organist at the Sapporo Concert Hall in Japan. During that time, he performed several concerts in Japan, and recorded a CD on the Kern organ at Sapporo Concert Hall that included music of Bach and Liszt as well as his own improvisations. Since leaving Japan, he has performed concerts in France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Canada and USA. Fassang currently divides his time between Hungary and Spain, where he teaches improvisation at the Musikene in San Sebastian.

    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:

    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2007, AT 7:30 PM

    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

    Organ Recital Series

    LÁSZLÓ FASSANG, organ

    BACH Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564

    BRAHMS Five Chorale Preludes

    LISZT Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H

    BACH Chaconne from Partita in D minor, BWV 1004 (adapted by Messerer)

    BRAHMS Four Hungarian Dances (arr. Fassang)

    FASSANG Improvisation

    Musicologist Thomas Neenan discusses the concert program at "Upbeat Live," a free event in BP Hall open to all ticket holders held one hour before the performance.

    Tickets ($21 - $45) are on sale now online at LAPhil.com, at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, 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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  • Contact:

    Adam Crane, 213.972.3422; Rachelle Roe, 213.972.7310; Photos: 213.972.3034