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  • Conductor Bramwell Tovey Leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Famed Pianist André Watts in Three Performances of Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto at Walt Disney Concert Hall
  • Jan. 7, 2010
  • THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, JANUARY 7 AND 8, 2010, AT 8 PM; SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010, AT 2 PM

    January 10 Media Sponsor: KCET

    British conductor Bramwell Tovey returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall to lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic and internationally renowned pianist André Watts in Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2, Thursday and Friday, January 7 and 8, at 8 p.m., as well as Sunday, January 10, at 2 p.m. Also on the Thursday and Sunday program is Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 2, “A London Symphony.” Though both Tovey and Watts have worked frequently with the LA Phil, these concerts mark the first time the two have performed together.

    The Thursday and Sunday program opens with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No. 2, “A London Symphony,” the composer’s first purely instrumental work for orchestra. In an essay, Vaughan Williams noted that an artist “should take the forms of musical expression all around him and purify and raise them to the level of great art,” and he accomplishes that with his London Symphony, which is about the sights, sounds and moods of the city.

    All three concerts feature Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83. The piece, with its uncharacteristic warmth and expansiveness, was likely influenced by the composer’s visits to Italy while he was creating it. The B-flat Concerto premiered in Budapest in 1881, with the composer as soloist.

    Bramwell Tovey was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007. He also continues as Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony, a post he’s held since 2000, as well as founding host and conductor of the New York Philharmonic’s Summertime Classics series at Avery Fisher Hall.

    Since bursting upon the music world at the age of 16 when Leonard Bernstein chose him to make his debut with the New York Philharmonic in their Young People’s Concerts, André Watts has become one of today’s most celebrated superstars. He last appeared at Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2006.

    The Friday, January 8 performance is part of the LA Phil’s 2009/10 Casual Fridays series. The series encourages audiences and orchestra members to attend in comfortable attire. These shorter programs – without intermission – feature free post-concert activities for all ticket-holders to enjoy. These activities include a TalkBack discussion with musicians held on stage after the performance and a chance to mingle with members of the orchestra in the Concert Hall Café.

    The concerts are preceded by Upbeat Live pre-performance discussions which are free to ticket-holders, and occur in BP Hall one hour prior to the performances. Russell Steinberg, composer, conductor and performer, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra, and UCLA faculty member, hosts.

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Gustavo Dudamel, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable locations 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 concerts, children's programming and community concerts, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

    THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010, AT 8 PM

    FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2010, AT 8 PM (Casual Fridays)

    SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2010, AT 2 PM


    WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

    111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles



    LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC

    BRAMWELL TOVEY, conductor

    ANDRÉ WATTS, piano



    VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No. 2, “A London Symphony” (except Friday)

    BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2



    January 10 Media Sponsor: KCET

    The concerts are preceded by Upbeat Live pre-performance discussions which are free to ticket-holders, and occur in BP Hall one hour prior to the performances. Russell Steinberg, composer, conductor and performer, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra, and UCLA faculty member, hosts.

    Tickets ($42 - $160) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card by phone at 323.850.2000. When available, choral bench seats ($17) will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Series, 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 information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Sophie Jefferies, sjefferies@laphil.org, 213.972.3422; Lisa White, lwhite@laphil.org, 213.972.3408; Photos: 213.972.3034