Jacaranda, the Westside music series known for presenting rarely heard, modern and new classical music, will present a concert on Saturday, January 21, 2012 featuring music by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho (b. 1952), Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu (1930-1996), French composer Henri Dutilleux (b. 1916), and Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung (b. 1942).
The concert begins at 7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, 1220 2nd St. (cross street is Wilshire). Musicians who will be performing include Grammy-winning pianist Gloria Cheng, with two members of the Calder Quartet; guitarist Michael Kudirka; the Lyris Quartet; as well as sopranos Elissa Johnston and Kathleen Roland with the Jacaranda Chamber Ensemble conducted by Mark Alan Hilt, Jacaranda’s music director.
Receiving its LA premiere, Saariaho’s 2003 trio for piano, viola and cello Je sens un deuxieme coeur (I feel a second heart) remembers the composer’s first pregnancy. Takemitsu’s 1987 guitar solo All in Twilight and Dutilleux’s 1976 string quartet Ainsi le Nuit (Such is the night) explore nocturnal sensibilities. Ung’s 2006 Aura, a 45-minute work for two sopranos and 10 instrumentalists, conjures the transforming force of spirit/nature in the aftermath of calamities such as Hurricane Katrina.
After the concert ends (at around 9:30 pm), The Forte Award After Party honors two champions of modern and contemporary classical music — Deborah Borda and Movses Pogossian — in a special event at the Knoll Showroom across the street at 214 Wilshire Blvd (enter on Second Street). Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of Armenia, will present the awards, with musical surprises, desserts and champagne to follow.
This year’s recipients of The Forte Award join past honorees Alan Rich and Gloria Cheng (2008), William Kraft and Grant Gershon (2009), Catherine Uniack and Steven D. Lavine (2010). The honor includes membership in Jacaranda’s Board of Advisors. The formation of that group, which also includes leaders in various fields, is being officially announced at this event. A list is attached below.
Tickets are available at www.jacarandamusic.org, or by calling 1-800-595-4TIX. The cost online for the concert is $35 general/$15 for students, or at the door $40 general/$20 for students.
Ticket donations for The Forte Awards After Party are $175 or $150 for season subscribers. Tickets are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
