Yearlong Program Launches at Philharmonic

Opening Night Gala on September 29, 2005

Beethoven Unbound Highlights:

Juxtaposes Beethoven's Nine Symphonies with Contemporary Works,

Including World Premieres by Magnus Lindberg and Anders Hillborg

Performances by Juilliard and Emerson string quartets

Two Los Angeles Philharmonic Chamber Music Concerts

Toyota Symphonies for Youth concert: Beethoven's in the House

24 Upbeat Live Pre-Concert Events

Free Concerts and Activities at Annual Grand Avenue Festival Day

The Los Angeles Philharmonic begins-and ends-its 2005/2006 season with the innovative Beethoven Unbound. The multi-faceted project explores the works of "the most radical composer of all time," says Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, who adds that Beethoven's works "may be the most drastic departures from convention and prevailing tradition in the history of music." This marks the first time in over 20 years that the Philharmonic unleashes all nine symphonies-and the first time Salonen and the LA Phil survey all nine-within a single season.

Salonen provides new perspectives on the complete cycle of Beethoven's symphonies, positioning them with works he considers to be contemporary pieces that break a creative boundary. Series highlights include the world premieres of Los Angeles Philharmonic Association-commissioned works by Magnus Lindberg and Anders Hillborg, and pieces by Henri Dutilleux, Oliver Knussen, György Ligeti and Witold Lutoslawski. The musical exploration also includes performances of Beethoven's string quartets by the Juilliard and Emerson string quartets, as well as two dedicated chamber music programs by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and a free day of family-oriented programming at Walt Disney Concert Hall during this year's Grand Avenue Festival. The LA Phil's acclaimed Toyota Symphonies for Youth series will present Beethoven's in the House, an imaginary tour of the composer's childhood home, featuring performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition, Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place at BP Hall before 24 of the Beethoven Unbound programs, with Robert Winter serving as Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence. Winter, Professor of Music and Presidential Chair in Music and Interactive Arts at UCLA, guides audiences through Beethoven's works.

September's programming begins with the Philharmonic's opening gala, Beethoven - A Journey into Genius (September 29, 2005) featuring dramatic readings of the composer's personal letters by Emmy and Oscar-nominated actor Ed Harris. Salonen conducts the Philharmonic in the Leonore Overture No. 2, the "Emperor" Piano Concerto, with pianist Evgeny Kissin, and excerpts from Symphonies Nos. 1 and 7.

With one or two symphonies on each of the six Beethoven Unbound programs, Salonen pairs works by 20th and 21st century composers Dutilleux, Knussen, Ligeti and Lutoslawski, as well as two world premieres from Lindberg and Hillborg, which complement Beethoven's masterpieces. Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 and No. 2 lead off the series on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2005, with Dutilleux's The Shadows of Time, featuring soloists from the Los Angeles Children's Chorus.

October 6 and 9, 2005 presents Symphony No. 3, Eroica, with the world premiere of Sculpture, Magnus Lindberg's new orchestral work (co-commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and the Koussevitzky Foundation). Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and Symphony No. 6, Pastoral, are featured with violinist Leila Josefowicz in Knussen's Violin Concerto on October 13, 14 and 16, 2005.

The second half of the season showcases Symphony No. 5 and Leonore Overture No. 2 on April 28, 29 and 30, 2006, with Lutoslawski's Fourth Symphony, which was written for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Beethoven's Symphonies No. 7 and No. 8 are performed alongside the world premiere of Hillborg's new work for orchestra (commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic) on May 4, 5 and 7, 2006. Finally, May 11, 13, and 14, 2006, sees Ligeti's Requiem preceding Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with vocal soloists Twyla Robinson, Jill Grove, Marcus Haddock, and Alan Held.

Beethoven Unbound also includes four concerts surveying many of Beethoven's String Quartets performed by the Juilliard String Quartet (October 9 and 11, 2005) and the Emerson String Quartet (May 18 and 19, 2006). These ensembles also follow Salonen's approach to Beethoven by juxtaposing his early and late quartets with other major works from the 20th-and 21st-century quartet repertoire by Bartók, Carter, Shostakovich, Webern and Maw.

Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform two all-Beethoven programs as part of the Chamber Music Series on October 18, 2005, and April 25, 2006.

The Association's participation in this year's Grand Avenue Festival on October 8 uses the Beethoven Unbound series in family-oriented activities throughout Walt Disney Concert Hall, including two Philharmonic performances of Beethoven's works in specially designed programs for children, a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Piano Trio of some of Beethoven's music for piano trio and performances by Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ Conservator Phil Smith of Beethoven transcriptions for organ.

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:

All concerts take place at:

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

Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 7 PM

Beethoven: A Journey into Genius - Opening Night Gala

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Evgeny Kissin, piano

Ed Harris, actor

BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 2

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1 (excerpts)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7 (excerpts)

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor"

Friday, September 30, 2005 at 8 PM

Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 8 PM

Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 2 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Soloists from the Los Angeles Children's Chorus

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1

DUTILLEUX The Shadows of Time

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 8 PM

Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 2 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

LINDBERG Sculpture (World premiere, LAPA and Koussevitzky Foundation co-commission)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence, on October 6 only, and prior to the evening performance on October 9, listed below.

Friday, October 7, 2005 at 8 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Saturday, October 8, 2005 11 AM - 5 PM

Grand Avenue Festival: Beethoven Festival

Free concerts and activities by L.A.-based artists, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Piano Trio, Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ Conservator Phil Smith and the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 7:30 PM

Juilliard String Quartet

BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 18, No.1

BARTÓK String Quartet No. 5

BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 135

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Tuesday, October 11, 2005 at 8 PM

Juilliard String Quartet

BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 2

CARTER String Quartet No. 5

BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 131

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 8 PM

Friday, October 14, 2005 at 8 PM

Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 2 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Leila Josefowicz, violin

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral"

KNUSSEN Violin Concerto

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Saturday, October 15, 2005 at 8 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, "Pastoral"

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 8 PM

Chamber Music Society

Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 59, No. 1

BEETHOVEN Quintet for Piano and Winds

Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 11 AM

Saturday, November 26, 2005 at 11 AM

Toyota Symphonies for Youth

Beethoven's In The House

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

BEETHOVEN Overture to Fidelio

BEETHOVEN Concert No. 4 in G major (1st Movement)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 (1st Movement)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 (4th Movement)

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 8 PM

Chamber Music Society

Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic

BEETHOVEN Serenade for Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 8

BEETHOVEN Piano Trio, Op. 1, No. 3

BEETHOVEN String Quartet, Op. 18, No. 5

Friday, April 28, 2006 at 8 PM

Saturday, April 29, 2006 at 2 PM

Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 2 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 2

LUTOSLAWSKI Symphony No. 4

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 8 PM

Sunday, May 7, 2006 at 2 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8

HILLBORG New work (World premiere, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association commission)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 8 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 8 PM

Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 8 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Twyla Robinson, soprano

Jill Grove, mezzo-soprano

Marcus Haddock, tenor

Alan Held, bass-baritone

Los Angeles Master Chorale (Grant Gershon, music director)

LIGETI Requiem

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Friday, May 12, 2006 at 8 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Twyla Robinson, soprano

Jill Grove, mezzo-soprano

Marcus Haddock, tenor

Alan Held, bass-baritone

Los Angeles Master Chorale (Grant Gershon, music director)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 8 PM

Emerson String Quartet

BEETHOVEN Quartet, Op. 18, No. 3

SHOSTAKOVICH Quartet No. 12

WEBERN Five Movements, Op. 5

BEETHOVEN Quartet, Op. 95, "Serioso"

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Friday, May 19, 2006 at 8 PM

Emerson String Quartet

BEETHOVEN Quartet, Op. 18, No. 6

MAW New work

BEETHOVEN Quartet, Op. 127

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Saturday, May 20, 2006 at 8 PM

Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 2 PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8

HILLBORG New work (Los Angeles Philharmonic Association commission)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

Upbeat Live, host: Robert Winter, Los Angeles Philharmonic Beethoven Scholar-in-Residence

Select concerts during the Beethoven Unbound yearlong program include Upbeat Live pre-concert events which take place one hour prior to the concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Upbeat Live is free to all ticket holders.

Tickets ($15-$129) 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. 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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Contacts: Sabrina Skacan, 213.972.3408; Laura Stegman, 310.470.6321; Photos: 213.972.3034