Popular Pre-Concert Presentations Provide Unique Insights for Philharmonic Fans

The "Upbeat Live" podcasts on KUSC.org have been made possible through the support of Box Populi

The Los Angeles Philharmonic continues to break new ground by making podcasts of its popular pre-concert "Upbeat Live" series available on the website of radio partner Classical 91.5 KUSC. The pre-concert presentations, recorded prior to Thursday subscription concerts, are available soon thereafter as podcasts for patrons to enjoy online or by downloading to a computer or portable media player. The Los Angeles Philharmonic is one of just a few orchestras that has made this feature available to its audiences. Support for the podcasts was provided by Box Populi.

"Upbeat Live" events are an informative and engaging way to learn about music before a concert. The presentations are held in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall one hour before most concerts and include talks by renowned musicologists, interviews with guest artists, and performances by noted guest artists and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

"At the Los Angeles Philharmonic, we are constantly looking for innovative ways in which we can provide added value to our audience members," said Deborah Borda, President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. "The ability to provide the 'Upbeat Live' podcasts so quickly through the KUSC website prepares, deepens and extends the individual's live experience by providing valuable information about the music that can be reflected upon before or after a concert, or anytime in the future."

The "Upbeat Live" podcasts began with the presentation prior to the Los Angeles Philharmonic's January 4, 2007 performance of Kodály's Dances of Galánta, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra. Conductor and music educator Christopher Russell is the "Upbeat Live" featured speaker. The podcast can be heard online or downloaded from www.KUSC.org.

PODCAST SCHEDULE:

Thursday, January 4, 2007

Speaker: Christopher Russell, conductor and music educator

Gustavo Dudamel, conductor

Yefim Bronfman, piano

KODÁLY Dances of Galánta

RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3

BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Speaker: Christopher Russell, conductor and music educator

Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Martin Chalifour, violin

ROSSINI The Italian Girl in Algiers Overture

MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5

MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3, "Scottish"

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Speaker: Paul Romero, composer and pianist

Vassily Sinaisky, conductor

Lang Lang, piano

BERLIOZ Le Corsaire Overture

CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1

RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Speaker: Michael Walsh, former music critic of Time Magazine

Christoph von Dohnányi, conductor

BRAHMS Symphony No. 3

BRAHMS Symphony No. 1

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Speaker: Eric Bromberger, musicologist

Christoph von Dohnányi, conductor

BRAHMS Symphony No. 4

BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Speaker: Deborah Borda, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic*

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Bill Viola, visual artist

Peter Sellars, artistic collaborator

Christine Brewer, soprano (Isolde)

Alan Woodrow, tenor (Tristan)

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano (Brangäne)

John Relyea, bass (Marke)

Jukka Rasilainen, baritone (Kurwenal)

Thomas Rolf Truhitte, tenor (Melot)

Michael Slattery, tenor (Sailor)

Men of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (Grant Gershon, music director)

DEBUSSY Printemps

WAGNER Tristan and Isolde, Act I

Friday, April 13, 2007 at 8 PM

Speaker: Deborah Borda, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic*

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Bill Viola, visual artist

Peter Sellars, artistic collaborator

Christine Brewer, soprano (Isolde)

Alan Woodrow, tenor (Tristan)

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano (Brangäne)

John Relyea, bass (Marke)

Jukka Rasilainen, baritone (Kurwenal)

Thomas Rolf Truhitte, tenor (Melot)

Michael Slattery, tenor (Shepherd's Voice)

Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (Grant Gershon, music director)

DEBUSSY Nocturnes

WAGNER Tristan and Isolde, Act II

Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 8 PM

Speaker: Deborah Borda, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic*

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Bill Viola, visual artist

Peter Sellars, artistic collaborator

Christine Brewer, soprano (Isolde)

Alan Woodrow, tenor (Tristan)

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano (Brangäne)

John Relyea, bass (Marke)

Jukka Rasilainen, baritone (Kurwenal)

Thomas Rolf Truhitte, tenor (Melot)

Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (Grant Gershon, music director)

DEBUSSY La Damoiselle élue

WAGNER Tristan and Isolde, Act III

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Speaker: Michael Steinberg, musicologist and author

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Viktoria Mullova, violin

BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto

SIBELIUS Lemminkäinen Suite

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Speaker: Steven Stucky, Philharmonic Consulting Composer for New Music

Shadow of Stalin

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

LIGETI Concert Romanesc

HUSA Music for Prague 1968

LUTOSLAWSKI Concerto for Orchestra

*Podcasts for all three lectures will be available the following week

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.

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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