Chamber Orchestra Sets New Season

The 1997-98 season of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra will offer 15 performances of eight programs at the Veterans Wadsworth Theater in Westwood and at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. In addition, three of these programs will be given at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Irvine Barclay Theatre, both in Orange County.

The ensemble’s new music director, Jeffrey Kahane, will conduct six of the programs, beginning Sept. 19 and 20, when he will offer the world premiere of Kenneth Frazelle’s “Laconic Variations,” as well as Mozart’s C-minor Piano Concerto, K. 491 (with himself as soloist), and Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony. Frazelle is the orchestra’s new composer-in-residence; he named his new “Laconic Variations” after the initials of the ensemble, L.A.C.O.

Other highlights in the repertory for the September-April season include Schoenberg’s “Verklarte Nacht,” the West Coast premiere of Aaron Jay Kernis’ Double Concerto for Violin and Guitar and Donald Crockett’s “Antiphonies.” Soloists include, besides keyboardist Kahane, oboist Allan Vogel, guitarist Sharon Isbin and violinist Ani Kavafian (in the Kernis work) and cellist Katherine Price.

Two guest conductors will appear this season: John Alexander will lead Schubert’s Mass in G and Bach’s Magnificat at the Alex Theatre, Dec. 6; and former LACO music director Iona Brown will conduct the performances of March 27 and 28, 1998.

Information: (213) 622-7001, Ext. 215.