Program Features Bach Cantata, Plus Works by Reinecke, Schumann and Schubert

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008, AT 8 PM

The Chamber Music Society series is supported by a generous grant from the Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation

Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, with special guest bass Eric Owens, perform in an LA PHIL Chamber Music Society series concert on Tuesday, May 13, at 8 p.m., in a program that includes Reinecke’s Impromptu Opus 66 on a theme from Schumann's "Manfred;" Schumann’s Andante and Variations for Two Pianos, Two Cellos, and Horn; Bach’s Cantata, BWV 82, "Ich habe genug" (with Owens as soloist); and Schubert’s String Quartet in A minor, D. 804, "Rosamunde."

The program for concert, which concludes the LA PHIL’s 2007/08 Chamber Music Society series, features selections that range from the familiar to the rare, and offers a varied menu of instrumentation, style, period and form.

The Impromptu for two pianos by Reinecke borrows its rushing theme from Robert Schumann’s musical setting of Byron’s dramatic poem Manfred. The instrumentation of Schumann’s Andante and Variations for Two Pianos, Two Cellos, and Horn, composed during a tumultuous time leading up to his marriage, was deemed an impediment to performance, and the work was therefore rearranged for two pianos. (The original version is performed for this concert.) Bach’s popular cantata “Ich habe genug” is a serene contemplation of death, and features one of the composer’s most beautiful creations, the central aria “Schlummert ein.” Like Schumann, Schubert tinkered with music for theater. In 1823, he wrote the incidental music for a play by Helmina von Chézy called Rosamunde, Princess of Cyprus. Schubert reused one tune from Rosamunde, from the third Entr’acte, as the basis for the Andante of his Quartet in A minor.

Acclaimed for his commanding stage presence and inventive artistry, American bass-baritone ERIC OWENS has carved a unique place in the contemporary opera world as both a troubadour of new music and a powerful interpreter of classic works. Called “consistently charismatic, theatrically and vocally” by New York Magazine and “absolutely remarkable” by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Owens is equally at home in concert, recital, and opera performances, bringing his powerful poise, expansive voice, and instinctive acting faculties to stages around the globe. The 2007/08 season sees Owens at the world’s most celebrated opera houses and in concert with America’s leading orchestras and conductors. He made his debut with Lyric Opera of Chicago in John Adams’ Doctor Atomic. His concert season began with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. Owens then returned to Barbican Hall for concert performances of Adams’ most recent opera, A Flowering Tree. Owens’ career operatic highlights include his San Francisco Opera debut as Lodovico in Otello conducted by Donald Runnicles; his Royal Opera, Covent Garden debut as Oroveso in Norma; Ramfis in Aida at Houston Grand Opera; Colline in La bohème at Los Angeles Opera; and the Speaker in Die Zauberflöte for his Paris Opera (Bastille) debut. He received great critical acclaim for portraying the title role in the world premiere of Elliot Goldenthal’s Grendel with the Los Angeles Opera and again at the Lincoln Center Festival, in a production directed and designed by Julie Taymor. Owens is a regular guest of major American and European orchestras.

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, MAY 13, 2008, AT 8 PM

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



CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY



MEMBERS OF THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC



SPECIAL GUEST

Eric Owens, bass



REINECKE Impromptu Opus 66 on a theme from Schumann's "Manfred"

SCHUMANN Andante and Variations for Two Pianos, Two Cellos, and Horn

BACH Cantata, BWV 82, "Ich habe genug"

SCHUBERT String Quartet in A minor, D. 804, "Rosamunde"



The Chamber Music Society series is supported by a generous grant from the Norman and Sadie Lee Foundation

Tickets ($22 - $47) 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. 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 10 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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