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  • WDCH
  • SALONEN CONDUCTS LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC IN ALL-SCANDINAVIAN PROGRAM
  • May. 21, 2004
  • Violinist Gidon Kremer Joins Orchestra for Sibelius' Violin Concerto

    FRIDAY, MAY 21, AND SATURDAY, MAY 22, AT 8 PM; SUNDAY, MAY 23, AT 2 PM

    Media support for May 23 provided by KCET.

    Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts renowned violinist Gidon Kremer and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in an all-Scandinavian program at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 23, at 2 p.m. The performances feature Kremer in Finnish composer Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto Swedish Composer Anders Hillborg's Exquisite Corpse, commissioned for the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic in 2002, replaces a new work by Magnus Lindberg originally scheduled for the weekend; Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 closes the program.

    The weekend presentation showcases two of Sibelius' most famous works, first performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the 1930s. From the beginnings of his career in the early 1890's, the versatile composer wrote more than 550 pieces in four decades. Since its premiere with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1905, his Violin Concerto has become the most recorded concerto of the 20th century. In its premiere performance in 1919, Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 was praised throughout Europe as the most important work of its time. Hillborg's Exquisite Corpse has received international attention as a Surrealist composition. As a collage of Hillborg's original work and the pieces of distinguished composers, including Stravinsky's Petrushka and works by Ligeti, Exquisite Corpse connects the audience with its musical past and present.

    Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. (The Sunday Upbeat Live takes place in the auditorium at Walt Disney Concert Hall.) Los Angeles Philharmonic Consulting Composer for New Music Steven Stucky hosts.

    ESA-PEKKA SALONEN, the tenth conductor to head the Los Angeles Philharmonic, began his tenure as Music Director in October 1992. Salonen made his American debut conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in November 1984, and he has conducted the orchestra every season since. Among the many highlights of Salonen's activities with the Philharmonic have been world premieres of new works by composers John Adams, Bernard Rands, Rodion Shchedrin, Steven Stucky, and Salonen himself, well-received Ligeti and Stravinsky Festivals, appearances at the Ojai Festival, critically acclaimed international tours, and his extensive discography with the Philharmonic for Sony Classical.

    Salonen was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1958. He made his conducting debut with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1979, and he has been one of the world's most sought-after conductors since his debut in London with the Philharmonia Orchestra in September 1983. He served as principal guest conductor of the Philharmonia from 1985 to 1994 and as principal conductor of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra from 1985 to 1995.

    In the 25-year course of his distinguished career, violinist GIDON KREMER has established a reputation worldwide as one of the most original and compelling artists of his generation. He has appeared on virtually every major concert stage with the most celebrated orchestras of Europe and American and has collaborated with today's foremost conductors and instrumentalists. Kremer's repertoire is extensive, encompassing all of the standard classical and Romantic violin works, as well as music by 20th-century masters. An exceptionally prolific recording artist, Kremer has recorded more than 100 albums. Born in Riga, Latvia in 1947, Kremer studied under David Oistrakh at the Moscow Conservatory.

    EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:


    FRIDAY, MAY 21 AT 8 PM

    SATURDAY, MAY 22 AT 8 PM

    SUNDAY, MAY 23 AT 2 PM

    Walt Disney Concert Hall

    111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

    LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC

    ESA-PEKKA SALONEN, conductor

    GIDON KREMER, violin

    HILLBORG Exquisite Corpse

    SIBELIUS Violin Concerto

    SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

    Media support for May 23 provided by KCET.

    Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. (The Sunday Upbeat Live takes place in the auditorium at Walt Disney Concert Hall.) Los Angeles Philharmonic Consulting Composer for New Music Steven Stucky hosts.

    Tickets ($15 - $120) 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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  • Contact:

    Rachelle Roe, 213.972.7310; Ellie Lloyd, 213.972.3448; for photos: Beth Norber, 213.972.3409