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{{Short description|American chamber orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States}}
The '''Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra''' (LACO) is a 40-member [[United States|American]] chamber [[orchestra]] based in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]], considered by music critic [[Jim Svejda]] as "America's finest chamber orchestra".<ref>[http://www.laco.org/about.html LACO website] Retrieved 2011-06-16.</ref>
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
The '''Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra''' (LACO) is an American chamber orchestra based in Los Angeles, California. LACO presents its Orchestral Series concerts at two venues, the [[Alex Theatre (Glendale, California)|Alex Theatre]] in [[Glendale, California|Glendale]] and [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]'s [[Royce Hall]].


==History==
==History==
James Arkatov, a cellist, established LACO in 1968 as an artistic outlet for musicians from local film and record studios to perform the classical music repertoire at a chamber orchestra-scale of about 40–45 musicians. David Mermelstein wrote in 2005 on Arkatov's guiding principle of LACO:


: "The idea was to create a group that would play works written expressly for chamber orchestra, many of them from the baroque era—music that the [Los Angeles] Philharmonic either wasn't interested in or suited to. The ensemble was never meant to compete with the Philharmonic; there was even a time when LACO's supporters hoped to see it take up permanent residence at the Music Center."<ref>Mermelstein, David, "The Lightning Conductor: Why the L.A. Chamber Orchestra Is Again Turning Heads". ''Los Angeles Magazine'', May 1, 2006.</ref>
LACO was founded in 1968 as an artistic outlet for the local film and record studios' most gifted musicians to perform the classical music repertoire for a chamber orchestra of about 40-45 members. The orchestra’s artistic founder, cellist James Arkatov, envisioned an ensemble which would allow conservatory-trained players to balance studio work and teaching with artistic collaboration. With the financial backing of philanthropist Richard Colburn and management from attorney Joseph Troy (the orchestra’s first president), LACO presented its first performance in the fall of 1969. Many of the orchestra's musicians are still employed by local recording and film studios. The LACO's first music director was [[Neville Marriner]], and Marriner used the [[Academy of St. Martin in the Fields]] as a guiding model for the ensemble.<ref name="Rosen">{{cite journal | url=http://mq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/80/2/220 | last=Rosen |first=Ronald S. | title=Stranger in Paradise: The Life and Adventures of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra | journal=The Musical Quarterly | volume=80 | issue=2 | pages=220–233 | date=1996 | accessdate=2007-09-15 | doi=10.1093/mq/80.2.220}}</ref> At the beginning of LACO's history, the orchestra did not have a residency at a single concert hall; it performed at the [[Mark Taper Forum]], [[Occidental College]] (Thorne Hall), the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and the Beckman Auditorium at [[California Institute of Technology|Caltech]].<ref name="Rosen"/>


The LACO presents 14 Orchestral Series concerts annually at two theaters: the [[Alex Theatre (Glendale, California)|Alex Theatre]] in [[Glendale, California|Glendale]] and [[University of California, Los Angeles|UCLA]]'s [[Royce Hall]], and occasionally plays additional concerts at [[Zipper Hall]] at [[The Colburn School]] and at [[Ambassador Auditorium]]. In addition to its 14 concerts at the Alex Theatre and Royce Hall, LACO presents a Baroque Conversations series at Zipper Hall, a Family Series at the Alex Theatre and a chamber music series (Westside Connections) at the Broad Stage of the Santa Monica Performing Arts Center. The orchestra also presents an annual silent-film screening with live orchestral music at Royce Hall.
At the beginning of its history, LACO did not have a residency at a single concert hall. The orchestra performed in such venues as the [[Mark Taper Forum]], [[Occidental College]] (Thorne Hall), the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and the [[California Institute of Technology]] (Beckman Auditorium).<ref name="Rosen"/> Currently, in addition to its Orchestral Series concerts at [[Alex Theatre]] and [[Royce Hall]], LACO also presents a [[Baroque music|baroque]] music series at [[Zipper Hall]] at the [[Colburn School]] in downtown Los Angeles, and "In Focus" (a chamber music and discussion series) in Santa Monica at the Moss Theatre and San Marino at The Huntington. Its repertoire ranges from the baroque to [[contemporary classical music|newly commissioned works]], the latter through its patron commissioning club, Sound Investment.


LACO's first music director was [[Neville Marriner]], who used the [[Academy of St. Martin in the Fields]] as a guiding model for LACO.<ref name="Rosen">{{cite journal | last=Rosen |first=Ronald S. | title=Stranger in Paradise: The Life and Adventures of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra | journal=The Musical Quarterly | volume=80 | issue=2 | pages=220–233 | date=1996 | doi=10.1093/mq/80.2.220}}</ref> [[Gerard Schwarz]] was LACO's second music director, and expanded the orchestra's repertoire to include more American works. [[Iona Brown]] was named LACO's music advisor for the 1986–1987 season, and became music director the next season, serving through 1992. [[Christof Perick]] was the next LACO Music Director, from 1992 to 1995.
LACO's repertoire ranges from the [[Baroque music|Baroque]] to [[contemporary classical music|newly commissioned works]] (the latter presented through its patron-commissioning club, Sound Investment). The Orchestra is recognized for championing young artists at the beginning of their careers and working with leading artists. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]]'s birth (27 January 2006), the orchestra performed all 23 of Mozart's piano concerti over a 15-month period, which no other U.S. orchestra had attempted. All 23 were conducted by [[Jeffrey Kahane]] from the keyboard, as was the practice during Mozart's life. In April 2002 the orchestra made its [[Carnegie Hall]] debut, and in June 2005 the LACO received the First Place Award for Programming of Contemporary Music from [[American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers]] (ASCAP) and the American Symphony Orchestra League. The orchestra has been honored with the Award for Adventurous Programming from ASCAP and the League of American Orchestras.


Conductor and pianist [[Jeffrey Kahane]], was music director from 1997 to 2017.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-kahane-farewell-laco-review-20170522-story.html | title=Jeffrey Kahane leaves L.A. Chamber Orchestra as master musician and mensch | work=Los Angeles Times | author=Mark Swed | date=May 22, 2017 | accessdate=2018-02-22}}</ref> During Kahane's tenure, LACO made its [[Carnegie Hall]] debut in April 2002.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/01/arts/music-review-soulful-songs-of-sorrow-in-america-and-abroad.html | title=Soulful Songs of Sorrow in America and Abroad | work=New York Times | author=James R Oestreich | date=May 1, 2002 | accessdate=2018-02-22}}</ref> In June 2005, LACO received the First place Award for Programming of Contemporary Music, offered by the [[American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers]] (ASCAP) and the American Symphony Orchestra League. Kahane now holds the title of conductor laureate with LACO.
The LACO has performed by invitation in Carnegie Hall’s Chamber Music series under the Kahane's direction, and also in South America, Europe and Japan. On its most recent tour of European music capitals (including Paris, Vienna, Berlin and San Sebastián), LACO was praised for its “orchestral athleticism and dynamism” and the “tremendous precision of [its] ensemble playing”.<ref>''Die Welt''.</ref> The 2008-09 season marked the LACO's 40th anniversary. The season featured a world premiere by American composer [[Christopher Theofanidis]] (the eighth commission of Sound Investment); two world premieres of works composed by members of the orchestra; two U.S. premieres and the West Coast premiere of [[Osvaldo Golijov]]'s ''Azul'' with cellist [[Yo-Yo Ma]].<ref>http://www.laco.org/performance/95</ref> The LACO also performs for local elementary-school students in its "Meet the Music" program. Through its "Neighborhood Concerts" program, the Orchestra provides opportunities for new and underserved audiences to experience live orchestral music.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}


In September 2017, [[Jaime Martín]] first guest-conducted LACO. On the basis of this appearance, in February 2018, LACO named Martín its next music director, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-jaime-martin-laco-conductor-20180221-story.html | title=L.A. Chamber Orchestra names Jaime Martín as music director | work=Los Angeles Times | author=Rick Schultz | date=February 20, 2018 | accessdate=2018-02-22}}</ref> In June 2021, LACO announced an extension of Martín's contract as its music director through 2027.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://imgartists.com/news/jaime-martin-extends-los-angeles-chamber-orchestra-music-director-contract-through-june-2027/ | title=Jaime Martín Extends Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Music Director Contract Through June 2027 | publisher=IMG Artists | date=2021-06-02 | access-date=2021-06-14}}</ref>
==Leadership==

Neville Marriner was LACO's first music director followed by [[Gerard Schwarz]], who expanded the orchestra's repertoire to include more American works. [[Iona Brown]] was named the LACO's music advisor for the 1986–1987 season and became music director the next season, serving through 1992. [[Christof Perick]] followed from 1992 to 1995. The orchestra's current music director is conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, who has led the ensemble since 1997. In March 2008, Kahane extended his contract with LACO through the 2011–2012 season.<ref>{{cite news | author=Chris Pasles | title=Kahane extends contract | url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/28/entertainment/et-laco28 | work=Los Angeles Times | date=2008-03-28 | accessdate=2008-07-04}}</ref>
During the 2020-2021 [[COVID-19 pandemic]], LACO began producing digital content in lieu of live performances. James Darrah was hired as their inaugural Creative Director of Digital Content and [[Derrick Spiva]] was appointed as Artistic Advisor. As of January 2021, the orchestra's current composer-in-residence is [[Ellen Reid (composer)|Ellen Reid]]. Past LACO composers-in-residence have included [[Uri Caine]] and [[Andrew Norman]].


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.laco.org/ Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra official site]
* [http://www.laco.org/ Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra official website]
*[http://www.imgartists.com/?page=artist&id=246&c=4&cid=4394 ''Los Angeles Times'', Chris Pasles, "It turns out it's a player after all" (September 25, 2005)]
* [http://www.imgartists.com/?page=artist&id=246&c=4&cid=4394 ''Los Angeles Times'', Chris Pasles, "It turns out it's a player after all" (September 25, 2005)]


{{LACO music directors}}
{{LACO music directors}}


{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1968]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1968]]
[[Category:Music of Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Music of Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American orchestras]]
[[Category:Chamber orchestras]]
[[Category:Chamber orchestras]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in California]]
[[pt:Orquestra de Câmara de Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Orchestras based in California]]
[[he:התזמורת הקאמרית של לוס אנג'לס]]
[[ja:ロサンジェルス室内管弦楽団]]

Latest revision as of 02:40, 28 June 2023

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) is an American chamber orchestra based in Los Angeles, California. LACO presents its Orchestral Series concerts at two venues, the Alex Theatre in Glendale and UCLA's Royce Hall.

History[edit]

James Arkatov, a cellist, established LACO in 1968 as an artistic outlet for musicians from local film and record studios to perform the classical music repertoire at a chamber orchestra-scale of about 40–45 musicians. David Mermelstein wrote in 2005 on Arkatov's guiding principle of LACO:

"The idea was to create a group that would play works written expressly for chamber orchestra, many of them from the baroque era—music that the [Los Angeles] Philharmonic either wasn't interested in or suited to. The ensemble was never meant to compete with the Philharmonic; there was even a time when LACO's supporters hoped to see it take up permanent residence at the Music Center."[1]

At the beginning of its history, LACO did not have a residency at a single concert hall. The orchestra performed in such venues as the Mark Taper Forum, Occidental College (Thorne Hall), the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and the California Institute of Technology (Beckman Auditorium).[2] Currently, in addition to its Orchestral Series concerts at Alex Theatre and Royce Hall, LACO also presents a baroque music series at Zipper Hall at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, and "In Focus" (a chamber music and discussion series) in Santa Monica at the Moss Theatre and San Marino at The Huntington. Its repertoire ranges from the baroque to newly commissioned works, the latter through its patron commissioning club, Sound Investment.

LACO's first music director was Neville Marriner, who used the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields as a guiding model for LACO.[2] Gerard Schwarz was LACO's second music director, and expanded the orchestra's repertoire to include more American works. Iona Brown was named LACO's music advisor for the 1986–1987 season, and became music director the next season, serving through 1992. Christof Perick was the next LACO Music Director, from 1992 to 1995.

Conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, was music director from 1997 to 2017.[3] During Kahane's tenure, LACO made its Carnegie Hall debut in April 2002.[4] In June 2005, LACO received the First place Award for Programming of Contemporary Music, offered by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the American Symphony Orchestra League. Kahane now holds the title of conductor laureate with LACO.

In September 2017, Jaime Martín first guest-conducted LACO. On the basis of this appearance, in February 2018, LACO named Martín its next music director, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 3 years.[5] In June 2021, LACO announced an extension of Martín's contract as its music director through 2027.[6]

During the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic, LACO began producing digital content in lieu of live performances. James Darrah was hired as their inaugural Creative Director of Digital Content and Derrick Spiva was appointed as Artistic Advisor. As of January 2021, the orchestra's current composer-in-residence is Ellen Reid. Past LACO composers-in-residence have included Uri Caine and Andrew Norman.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mermelstein, David, "The Lightning Conductor: Why the L.A. Chamber Orchestra Is Again Turning Heads". Los Angeles Magazine, May 1, 2006.
  2. ^ a b Rosen, Ronald S. (1996). "Stranger in Paradise: The Life and Adventures of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra". The Musical Quarterly. 80 (2): 220–233. doi:10.1093/mq/80.2.220.
  3. ^ Mark Swed (May 22, 2017). "Jeffrey Kahane leaves L.A. Chamber Orchestra as master musician and mensch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  4. ^ James R Oestreich (May 1, 2002). "Soulful Songs of Sorrow in America and Abroad". New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Rick Schultz (February 20, 2018). "L.A. Chamber Orchestra names Jaime Martín as music director". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  6. ^ "Jaime Martín Extends Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Music Director Contract Through June 2027" (Press release). IMG Artists. June 2, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Los_Angeles_Chamber_Orchestra&oldid=1162273858"