All entries by this author

Classical Focus, March 7 – 9

March 6, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

Enjoy something old and something new this week with two great concerts, both at Walt Disney Concert Hall.  The first is Sunday, when three of LA’s finest groups — the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Musica Angelica, and the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus — combine to perform Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. The second is Tuesday: listen [...]



Review: Southwest Chamber Music and the Ascending Dragon Festival

March 4, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera, Featured Articles

Southwest Chamber Music’s Ascending Dragon Festival opened this weekend with a set of three pre-tour concerts Friday, Saturday, and Monday.  I was able to hear the Monday, March 1, concert downtown at Zipper Hall, and left not only impressed by the ensemble and programming, but also enthused about the project generally and the fine events [...]



Classical Focus, Feb. 27 – March 1

February 26, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

In Classical Focus, Theodore Bell selects highlights from Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter.

The chamber music spotlight is focused on the much-anticipated Ascending Dragon Music Festival and Cultural Exchange this week. Jeff von der Schmidt and the Southwest Chamber Music ensemble are flying high with concerts featuring new music of American and Vietnamese composers.
The U.S. [...]



Music Review: Chamber Players of Los Angeles

February 23, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

Music Director John Kennedy crafted an intriguing and satisfying program of three 20th-century pieces for the Chamber Players of Los Angeles’ Feb. 20 concert at the Church of the Master on the Westside.  Carl Nielsen’s iconic Wind Quintet, Op. 43 was the main course, with Jaques Ibert’s popular Wind Trio as the opening work.  Steven [...]



Classical Focus, Feb. 20 – 23

February 20, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

In Classical Focus, Theodore Bell selects highlights from Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter. Here are his top picks:
The most exciting news this week is that the Calder Quartet starts a two-concert series of the complete Bartók String Quartets. The first concert is this Tuesday, and the next will be in April.  What an [...]



Music Review: Members of Quatour Ebène with Orion Weiss

February 17, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

Mercy! Mercy! Merci!  The Quatour Ebène, err, Trio Ebène, managed to impress Valentine revelers on a fine Sunday afternoon of Music at the Clark – even while playing on only three strings!  Violinist Pierre Colombet was unable to travel for medical reasons, so ebony (ebène) was added by noted pianist Orion Weiss as he joined [...]



Classical Focus, Feb. 12 – 14

February 11, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

Here is a great idea – treat your Valentine to a romantic evening of fine music this weekend.  There are some great choices to choose from all around town.

What better coquetry than the Capella Artemisia from Bologna, Italy?  This all-female choir will be singing about spiritual love at USC’s United University Church Friday.
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Classical Focus, Feb. 7 – 11

February 5, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

Two outstanding clarinetists are in concert this weekend: noted young Spanish virtuoso Jose Franch-Ballester is performing with Camerata Pacifica, and well-known local artist Margaret Thornhill is in concert with cellist Roger Lebow and pianist Twyla Meyer in Pasadena playing works that span 200 years of clarinet trio repertoire.
Two extraordinary Baroque events are on stage at [...]



Classical Focus, Jan. 29 – Feb. 2

January 28, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

In Classical Focus, Theodore Bell selects highlights from Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter. Here are his top picks:
The week begins with a most intriguing idea – L.A. Phil Concertmaster Martin Chalifour discusses Stradivari and the luthier’s art embedded in a solo concert – a once-in-a-lifetime treat.  Hear it free (with reservations) at the [...]



Classical Focus, Jan. 23 – 27

January 23, 2010 | By Theodore Bell | Category: Classical Music and Opera

In Classical Focus, Theodore Bell selects highlights from Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter. Here are his top picks:
A brilliant constellation of instrumental luminaries will traverse the nighttime stages of Los Angeles this week.  Renowned soloist Itzhak Perlman is at the Luckman Theatre on Saturday evening, pianist Piotr Anderszewski graces Disney Hall on [...]