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Dynamic composer and educator Jessie Montgomery writes musical techniques that utilize layers of strumming and lightly plucking strings in her piece, Strum for string orchestra. Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat major then introduces LACO’s principal winds as soloists creating a union between the oboe, bassoon, clarinet, and horn. The program culminates with R. Strauss’ high spirited orchestral suite Le Bourgeois gentilhomme.

We’re thrilled to be back in Zipper Hall for Concertmaster Margaret Batjer’s second chamber program, a string celebration of German composers featuring Mendelssohn’s fiery String Quartet in F minor and Brahms’ mesmerizing Sextet in G Major.

Enjoy Mozart’s playful Divertimento for String Trio, viola, and cello, written on the heels of the composer’s brilliant final three symphonies. The evening comes to an end with Antonin Dvořák’s majestic Serenade for Winds, a work that features a fascinating combination of oboes, clarinets, bassoons, french horns, cello, and double bass. 

An undisputed masterpiece without peer, Bach’s Goldberg Variations has remained one of Margaret Batjer’s favorite pieces throughout her whole life. Originally written for piano, she never had the opportunity to perform it and was elated to discover this string arrangement. While the music remains the same, Dmitry Sitkovetsky’s arrangement explores an entirely different timbre with a string ensemble. This brilliant arrangement brings an entirely different spectrum of colors and sonorities to Bach’s enduring classic.

LACO returns to the Ambassador Auditorium for the LACO debut of guest conductor Roderick Cox, who has invited one of America’s finest young violinists, Randall Goosby, to join him for Mendelssohn’s beloved Violin Concerto. Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll and the luscious Brahms Serenade No. 2 book-end Mr. Cox’s program.

The program begins with the beautifully meditative Spiegel im Spiegel for string quartet by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, widely known for his minimalistic musical style. Next, the world-premiere of a LACO-commissioned work for percussion and string quartet by Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Samuel Adams, with Principal Percussion Wade Culbreath as the featured soloist. The program closes with a lively masterpiece from Antonin Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major.

The final concert of the season opens with Jaime premiering a LACO-commissioned work from Composer-in-Residence and Artistic Advisor Ellen Reid. Then, LACO’s Concertmaster Margaret Batjer and Principal Cello Andrew Shulman perform the beloved Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, fulfilling a dream over ten years in the making for Margaret. Beethoven’s titanic fifth symphony closes the season. REID, BRAHMS + BEETHOVEN is generously underwritten by LACO’s longest-serving Board Member, Gene Shutler.