Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's "Baroque Conversations" series recently marked eight years of inviting audiences to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of music from the Baroque era. During these informal and thought-provoking concerts, the concert host shares insights into the music and invites questions from the audience between pieces on the program.
On the LACO's February 6 program, that host will be Jeannette Sorrell, founder and music director of Apollo's Fire, who is making her LACO conducting debut. Sorrell has quickly gained international attention as a leading voice among the new generation of early music conductors. She founded Apollo's Fire, Cleveland's baroque orchestra, in 1992.
Sorrell will lead the LACO in a program of concerti by Vivaldi, Bach and Boccherini on Thursday, February 6 at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles. All ticket holders are invited to a complimentary wine reception before the concert at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and runs until approximately 8:45 p.m., including time for conversation between musicians and audience.
The program holds a few of Sorrell's own arrangements, including Vivaldi's Concerto Grosso in B minor, after Sonata in B minor, Op. 1, No. 12, ("La Follia"), featuring LACO principal cellist Andrew Shulman, cellist Trevor Handy, principal violin II Josefina Vergara and flutist Sandy Hughes. The musicians will also perform Sorrell's arrangement of Boccherini's "Fandango," after Guitar Quintet No. 4 in D Major.
The program also holds Vivaldi's Concerto in G minor for Two Celli and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.
LACO's "Baroque Conversations" explore the genesis of orchestral repertoire from early Baroque schools through the pre-classical period. This year, the subject is "Theme and Variations," an exploration of how Baroque composers transformed a simple theme or melody into grand, complex and intricate variations and great music.
Three additional "Baroque Conversations" concerts will take place on March 27, April 17 and May 1, 2014. More information about these programs is available at laco.org.
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