TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 AT 8 PM
Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor showcases performs as guest artist with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in an all-Brahms chamber music program at Walt Disney Concert Hall Tuesday, February 27, at 8 p.m. The all-Brahms program includes Songs for Alto, Viola, and Piano, Op. 91; Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115; and Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34. This performance marks O'Connor's second appearance at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The two Songs for Alto, Viola, and Piano, Op. 91, were dedicated to the contralto Amalie Schneeweiss Joachim, the wife of Brahms' dear friend Joseph Joachim, and perfectly blend the sounds of the alto voice and viola and piano in a melodic simplicity and expressive elegance. Brahms' Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115 is one of the summits for the chamber repertoire for the clarinet as it merges great emotional urgency and creative passion. The final piece, Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34, was initially conceived as a string quintet with two cellos, but evolved into a sonata for two pianos and finally into a memorable piano quintet.
KELLEY O'CONNOR's "dark, low, mezzo-soprano and expressive stage presence are those of a riveting singer emerged, not emerging…" is how the Los Angeles Times describes this 26-year-old artist who received international acclaim portraying Federico García Lorca in Osvaldo Golijov's Ainadamar. Ms. O'Connor created the role for the world premiere at Tanglewood under the baton of Robert Spano and has subsequently joined Miguel Harth-Bedoya for performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In addition to her performance with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the California native's impressive 2006/07 concert calendar includes performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and of Bernstein's Symphony No. 1, "Jeremiah" with Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra, both in Cleveland and in Miami at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with Robert Spano with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortilèges with Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic, Britten's Cantata Academica with Robert Porco and the Cincinnati Symphony, Mozart's Requiem with Louis Langrée and the Baltimore Symphony, as well as Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream with Ivan Fischer and the National Symphony Orchestra. She also joins Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra as Meg Page in Falstaff performances at the Lucerne Festival, Michael Christie and the Phoenix Symphony for concert performances of Hansel and Gretel, and she covers the role of Teodata in Handel's Flavio at the New York City Opera. Opera Now has recognized Ms. O'Connor on its annual "Young Artists: Who's Hot?" list of 2006.
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:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2007 AT 8 PM
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
Chamber Music Society
MEMBERS OF THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
KELLEY O'CONNOR, mezzo-soprano
All-Brahms Program:
Two songs for Alto, Viola, and Piano, Op. 91
Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Op. 115
Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34
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. When available, choral bench seats ($15) will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Recital, 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 all information, please call 323.850.2000.
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Adam Crane, 213.972.3422, acrane@laphil.org; Rachelle Roe, 213.972.7310, rroe@laphil.org; Lisa White, 213.972.3408, lwhite@laphil.org; Photos: 213.972.3034