Pauline Adamek
Music lovers seeking an exceptionally rare concert experience will be thrilled to learn about the opportunity to hear private musical performances in intimate and salubrious settings.
(Scroll down to the portrait of Jeffrey Kahane for booking info.)
On select evenings over the next few months the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) is staging a special series of private concerts as exclusive fundraising events.
The first of the LACO à la Carte evenings of exquisite music and fine foods was held last Saturday evening. The Australia à la Carte event was graciously hosted by The Honorable Chris De Cure OAM Consul General of Australia and his wife, Mrs. Cathie De Cure, at their lovely home in Brentwood.
LACO Music Director Jeffrey Kahane gave a superb solo piano performance of several pieces, including some by Couperin, Ravel and three pieces by Chopin; Poloniase-Fantasie in A-flat major and Barcarolle in F-sharp major. In a respectful tribute to his esteemed hosts, Mr. Kahane also performed two delightful modern pieces by Australian Composer Carl Vine.
The first piece by Couperin was actually composed for harpsichord. Thanks to Kahane’s exceptionally skilful playing, we really could hear the trills and flowery style of the composition, rendered beautifully on the Steinway baby grand piano. His fingering emulated that of a harpsichord player, but he managed to invest the performance with a bit more expression than is usually permitted on that delicate and antique instrument.
Mid-way through the Ravel piece I was inexplicably moved to tears. It was wonderful to watch the small audience enraptured by the glorious music, some gently swaying their heads with their eyes closed, drinking in the magical experience.
Even more wonderful was the opportunity to sit so close to the musician that we could watch Mr. Kahane’s hands, playing technique and even his own rapturous expressions. Impressively, Mr. Kahane mostly played from memory, only using a score to play a couple of the pieces.
Following this breathtakingly intimate recital, we all trooped out to the garden for an Aussie-themed BBQ and exotic salads feast, catered by Elements Kitchen.
As the rest of the LACO musicians are up to Mr. Kahane’s magnificently high standards of performance, the remaining evenings promise a sublime experience for all who wish to partake.
Pictured is LACO Á la Carte Chair/LACO Board Member Mahnaz Newman; The Honorable Greet Criel, Consul General of Belgium; Event Hostess Cathie De Cure; David Newman; and LACO Music Director Jeffrey Kahane.
Photo credit: Maya Kalinowski
Portrait of Jeffrey Kahane by Michael Burke
Upcoming Events:
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) offers music lovers an opportunity to enjoy five intimate, elegant and entertaining LACO à la Carte fundraising events pairing delectable international cuisine and exclusive musical performances in spectacular private homes of members of the region’s international community, including the consuls general of Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium and Austria as well as LACO board member Ahmad Gramian and his wife, Haleh.
Adding a special flourish to the season and illustrating that music truly knows no boundaries, each event features a different style of cuisine complemented by a salon performance by LACO members and guest artists. The “à la Carte” series is chaired by LACO board member Mahnaz Newman, and this season celebrates numerous musician milestone anniversaries, including Music Director Jeffrey Kahane’s 15th year with the Orchestra.
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Azerbaijan à la Carte
Sunday, September 18, 4 pm
Santa Monica Residence of Consul General of Azerbaijan
The celebration continues when LACO Composer-In-Residence Derek Bermel, clarinet, and LACO Sound Investment Composer Timothy Andres, piano, add their musical flair to this cosmopolitan evening hosted by Azerbaijan’s Consul General, the Honorable Elin Suleymanov, and Lala Abdurahimova at their residence with a striking view of the Pacific Ocean.
The cuisine of Azerbaijan reflects the country’s geographic location at the cross roads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe.
Belgium à la Carte
Friday, October 28, 7 pm
Hancock Park Residence of Consul General of Belgium
The Honorable Greet Criel, Consul General of Belgium, and Elisabeth Criel host this event featuring an all-Baroque program by LACO members Julie Gigante, violin, Trevor Handy, cello, and Patricia Mabee, harpsichord, celebrating their 25th, 10th and 35th LACO anniversaries respectively.
Belgium, considered the capital of chocolate, has enjoyed an unparalleled reputation for specialty beers since the Middle Ages, producing over 450 different varieties. Fittingly, Belgian beer and chocolate will add a flavorful dimension to the evening’s festivities.
Austria à la Carte
Thursday, November 17, 7 pm
In Brentwood at the Austrian Residence of Consul General of Austria
Karin Proidl, Consul General of Austria, hosts an evening at her stately Brentwood residence that illuminates the dazzling cultural and musical vibrancy of Vienna, featuring LACO Assistant Concertmaster Teresa Stanislav, who leads a trio of LACO musicians.
Austria, with its delightful sidewalk cafes, pastry shops, prized white wines and compelling art, music and architecture, is also celebrated as a haven for gourmands with the emergence of a sophisticated culinary movement, embracing fresh, seasonal and local produce.
Iran à la Carte
Saturday, November 19, 7 pm
Brentwood Residence of Ahmad and Haleh Gramian
Dedicated LACO Board member Ahmad Gramian and his wife, Haleh, host the final event of LACO à la Carte in their gorgeous Brentwood home. The evening features a musical program commemorating the 40th anniversary of Allan Vogel, LACO’s principal oboe, who performs with fellow LACO principals Josefina Vergara, violin, Roland Kato, viola and Andrew Shulman, cello.
Guests will enjoy a sampling of the exotic culinary riches of Iran.
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LACO à la Carte is generously sponsored by LACO President K. Eugene Shutler and board members Ahmad and Haleh Gramian; Ann Moore Mulally; Mahnaz and David Newman; and Ned and Dana Newman.
BOOKING:
Individual tickets are $200.00.
Multiple-event packages include:
Anniversary Trio, which is $550 per person for the Australia, Belgium and Iran events; and
Chef’s Table Quartet, which is $700 per person, for four events.
LACO à la Carte events are on sale now and may be purchased by calling Maya at 213 622 7001 x 3.
Details are available at their official website.
LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (LACO), proclaimed “America’s finest chamber orchestra” by Public Radio International, has established itself among the world’s top musical ensembles.
Since 1997, LACO has performed under the baton of acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, hailed by critics as “visionary” and “a conductor of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity” with “undeniable charisma.”
Under Kahane’s leadership, the Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers. During its 43-year history, the Orchestra has made 30 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, performed across North America, earning adulation from audiences and critics alike, and garnered five ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming.
Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, LACO presents seven Orchestral Series concerts at both Glendale’s Alex Theatre and UCLA’s Royce Hall, five Baroque Conversations concerts at downtown Los Angeles’ Zipper Concert Hall, three Westside Connections chamber music concerts at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, three Family Concerts at the Alex Theatre and an annual Discover concert at Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium.
In addition, LACO presents a Concert Gala, an annual Silent Film screening at Royce Hall and several fundraising salons each year.
Terry Morgan
