Marin Alsop conducts All-Brahms Program with the Los Angeles Philharmonic December 9, 2008
Marin Alsop, the first woman to head a major American orchestra, joins violinist Nikolaj Znaider and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for three performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13, at 8 pm, as well as Sunday, December 14, at 2 pm. The all-Brahms programs feature the composer's Tragic Overture and his Violin Concerto. The Saturday and Sunday concerts also include his Symphony No. 1.
Johannes Brahms is a natural mainstay for any orchestra's musical diet. The three works for these performances highlight the German composer's penchant for combining serious yet playful overtones in his music. The somber Tragic Overture follows a sonata format and was composed as a companion piece to the more comical Academic Festival Overture (not played in this program). Alone it represents the tragedy half of the comedy/tragedy theater mask. Znaider illustrates his mastery in Brahms' Violin Concerto, piece was composed for Joseph Joachim, an international star of his time, much like Znaider is today. The Saturday and Sunday performances end with the beloved Symphony No. 1. The symphony, which took Brahms nearly 20 years to complete, features a pair of lyrical interludes between the stormy first movement and turbulent conclusion.
For additional information about the programming, Upbeat Live pre-concert events take place one hour prior to each concert in BP Hall, and are free to all ticket holders. Eric Bromberger, violinist, Fulbright nominee and recipient of a National Endowment of the Humanities Fellowship at Yale University, hosts.
The Friday performance is part of the LA Phil's Casual Fridays series which encourages audience and orchestra members to attend attired in comfortable clothes. 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.
LA PHILHARMONIC CONCERT DATES
Friday, December 12, 2008, AT 8 PM (Casual Fridays)
Saturday, December 13, 2008, AT 8 PM
Sunday, December 14, 2008, AT 2 PM
Media Sponsor for December 12: Time Warner Cable
Marin Alsop Brahms Titles on Naxos:
Marin Alsop Biography & Discography
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