“Jeffrey Kahane’s performances with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Alex Theatre in Glendale and at UCLA’s Royce Hall on April 22 and 23 may well be regarded as capstones to his 20-year tenure as the group’s music director,” writes David Mermelstein in Monday’s (4/17) Wall Street Journal (subscription required). Kahane’s final concerts as music director will be in June. “But a series of concerts in January under the banner ‘Lift Every Voice’ was in many ways … a microcosm of Mr. Kahane’s achievements with LACO…. Several LACO players mentioned a democratic spirit pervading rehearsals…. Of all Mr. Kahane’s advances, improvements and innovations at LACO, the one with the most far-reaching consequences … is the orchestra’s connection to new music…. Mr. Kahane … in 2001 [created] the Sound Investment program [and] enhanced the position of composer-in-residence. Five have held the job since he started, most recently [Andrew] Norman … who will remain with LACO until Mr. Kahane’s replacement is selected…. Certainly the position is all the more attractive thanks to Mr. Kahane’s efforts. So he deserves that highest of compliments: He has left the place far better than he found it.”
Posted April 18, 2017
Photo of Jeffrey Kahane and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra courtesy Ken Hively
