There are two “must-hear” chamber concerts this week: Pianist Emanuel Ax will join members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a diverse program of Schumann, Janácek, and Brahms at Walt Disney Concert Hall; and the fabulous Calder Quartet concludes their playing of the complete set of Bartók string quartets with Nos. 2, 4 and 6 at the University Theatre at UC Riverside.
Pianist Emanuel Ax with Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
A diverse programmatic treat awaits you Tuesday at Disney Hall as members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op.44 with Emanuel Ax. In addition, we will hear LA Phil winds perform Janácek’s Mládi (Youth), suite for wind sextet, complemented by Brahms’ String Quartet No.3, Op.6.
Ax’s residency in Los Angeles has been stellar by all accounts, public and private, and his impeccable virtuosity and keen musical interpretation will make this event a concert to remember. Schumann’s quintet is at times soloistic in style, and it stands unique in the literature as his only piano quintet. Such unique artists and unique music in the best hall in town cannot be denied our attention.
Mládí was written in Janácek’s 70th year in 1924. He scored it for flute (and piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, and bassoon, and at times it is delightfully playful and nostalgically tender – not to mention that the LA Phil winds will sound great in Disney Hall.
Tuesday, March 30, 8 p.m.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., LA
Tickets: $51, $34, $26. For concert information, call (323) 850-2000 or visit www.laphil.com.
Calder Quartet Play Bartók
Calder Quartet
Thursday’s concert is the second half of the Calder Quartet’s playing of the complete set of Bartók’s six quartets started last month. The remainder, Nos. 2, 4 and 6 will be an experience to savor, as you hear a developmental continuum sampled from early to late in Bartók’s genius.
The Bartók string quartets have a place in culture uniquely their own as some of the most important works in the genre. Here is a special opportunity to hear the breadth of the entire collection played by the extraordinary Calder Quartet so well known in Southern California. Originally from USC and the Colburn School, they have risen to be among the elite international ensembles. Having served as the Juilliard School’s Graduate Resident Quartet, they are now the Quartet-in-Residence at the Colburn School.
Thursday, April 1, 8 p.m.
University Theatre, University of California, Riverside
Tickets: $30 / $15 student. For information, call (951) 827-4629.
See Jim Eninger’s Clickable Chamber Music Newsletter for an extensive calendar of upcoming events around Los Angeles.