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  • German Conductor/Pianist Christian Zacharias Returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall to Perform With the Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Feb. 19, 2009
  • LA Phil Soloists Ariana Ghez, Mark Kashper, Shawn Mouser and Brent Samuel Featured in a Program that Also Includes Works by Brahms, Haydn and Schumann

    THURSDAY - SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 – 21, 2009, AT 8 PM;
    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009, AT 2 PM

    February 20 Media Sponsor: Time Warner Cable

    Conductor/pianist Christian Zacharias leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in four performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 19, 20 and 21, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, February 22, at 2 p.m. The program features Brahms’ Serenade No. 2 in A major, Op. 16, Haydn’s Sinfonia concertante in B-flat major, Hob. I: 105, and Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54 with Zacharias taking on the dual role of soloist and conductor.

    Brahms’ Serenade No. 2 in A major was the composer’s second symphonic work. In keeping with his extremely cautious nature, it took him 20 years to complete his first such work, a modest serenade, which he followed with the present piece in A major. Unfortunately, it was after the death of one of his most enthusiastic supporters, Robert Schumann, but Schumann’s widow, Clara, for whom Brahms had a deep fondness, was still alive to appreciate the work.

    Haydn’s Sinfonia concertante was written during a time when the composer was struggling to meet his compositional duties, but the result reveals none of that stress. Instead, the piece bears the imprint of a creative artist in full control of his powers. This work for four soloists and orchestra is the only one Haydn ever wrote and is performed by LA Phil members Ariana Ghez, oboe, Mark Kashper, violin, Shawn Mouser, bassoon, and Brent Samuel, cello.

    Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor is the only full-length piece for piano and orchestra he ever wrote. His beloved wife Clara premiered the work in Dresden in December of 1845. It has become one of the most popular of all piano concertos.

    Zacharias is considered to be one of the greatest German pianists of today and one of the most remarkable musical explorers of our time. He made his U.S. debut as a conductor in 2000 leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

    Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place in Walt Disney Concert Hall’s BP Hall one hour prior to each concert, and are free to all ticket holders. Paul Romero, classical pianist and soundtrack score composer, hosts.

    CHRISTIAN ZACHARIAS who is known for his consistent and uncompromising individuality, achieved international attention as prizewinner in the Geneva Competition in 1969 and the Van Cliburn Competition in 1973. In 1975, he won the First Prize in the Ravel Competition in Paris and began an international career encompassing recitals in all the major international venues, award-winning recordings and concerts with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors. He also appears in chamber music recitals with partners such as the Alban Berg Quartet, the Guarneri Quartet, the Leipziger String Quartet, Heinrich Schiff and Frank Peter Zimmermann. In 1992, Zacharias launched his conducting career, making his debut conducting the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva. This was soon followed by invitations to conduct countless of the leading orchestras in Europe. His U.S. debut as a conductor took place in 2000 conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 2006 he debuted with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. This was followed by regular re-invitations to the renowned American orchestras. In September 2000, Zacharias assumed the post of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. He started his tenure as principal guest conductor of the Göteborgs Symfoniker in the 2002/03 season. Zacharias takes on the role of Artistic Partner of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra beginning in the 2009/10 season. After having conducted Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito at the Geneva Opera House as his first opera production in 2006, Zacharias presented his second opera project together with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne in December 2008: Jacques Offenbach's La belle Hélène. At the Mozart Festival Barcelona, which takes place annually, he holds the position of Artistic Director. Zacharias recorded on the EMI label through 1997 and since then he has recorded with Dabringhaus and Grimm. Among his regularly forthcoming recordings are numerous award-winners, for example the CD with fantasies, rondos and other piano works by Mozart, which has been decorated with the Diapason d'Or. Additionally, he appears in three documentary films: "Domenico Scarlatti in Seville,” "Robert Schumann – the poet speaks" (both for INA in Paris) and "Between stage and greenroom" (for WDR-arte). In January 2007, Zacharias was awarded the Midem Classical Award "Artist of the year" in Cannes.

    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:

    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009, AT 8 PM

    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2009, AT 8 PM

    SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009, AT 8 PM

    SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2009, AT 2 PM


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



    CHRISTIAN ZACHARIAS, conductor/piano



    BRAHMS Serenade No. 2

    HAYDN Sinfonia concertante

    SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor



    February 20 Media Sponsor: Time Warner Cable



    Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place in Walt Disney Concert Hall’s BP Hall one hour prior to each concert, and are free to all ticket holders. Paul Romero, classical pianist and soundtrack score composer, hosts.

    Tickets ($17 - $147) 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 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 information, please call 323.850.2000.

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  • Contact:

    Lisa White, 213.972.3422, lwhite@laphil.org; Photos: 213.972.3034