The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2019/20 season features Clark Wilson in a special Halloween presentation of the 1923 film The Hunchback of Notre Dame (October 31), and recitals by organ masters Jane Parker-Smith (November 3), Christian Schmitt (January 12), Wayne Marshall (February 23), and Monica Czausz (May 24), all showcasing the magnificent Walt Disney Concert Hall organ.
Inaugurated in 2004 at the opening of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s second season in Walt Disney Concert Hall, the organ’s striking visual design was a collaboration between Frank Gehry and organ builder Manuel Rosales. The organ is voiced with a wide dynamic range – from pianississimo to a breathtaking fortissimo that can obliterate the sounds of a full orchestra. The specially curved wood façade pipes are actual playing pipes that were made by Glatter-Götz Orgelbau in Germany and consist of the Violone and Bassoon basses. Behind the façade are three levels of pipes, including metal pipes made of tin and lead alloys and wood pipes made of Norwegian pine. The organ, affectionately called “Hurricane Mama,” was so named by musical visionary Terry Riley after a night of improvising.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 8:00 PM
Clark Wilson, organ
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)
Organist Clark Wilson sets a haunting scene as he accompanies the 1923 silent film The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This event marks the very first time the film will be screened at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
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Sunday, November 3, 2019, at 7:30 PM
Jane Parker-Smith, organ
BACH (arr. Fox) “Nun danket alle Gott,” from Cantata No. 79, BWV 79
FRANCK Fantaisie in A
KREBS Chorale Prelude on “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern”
WIDOR Marche Pontificale, from Organ Symphony in C minor, Op. 13, No. 1
LANGLAIS La Nativité, from Poèmes Évangéliques, Op. 2
JONGEN Sonata Eroïca, Op. 94
Andreas WILLSCHER Toccata alla Rumba
LISZT (trans. Guillou) Orpheus
Denis BÉDARD Rhapsodie sur le nom de LAVOIE
DUPARC (trans. Fournier) Aux étoiles
DETHIER Variations on “Adeste Fideles”
Having been referred to as the “Martha Argerich of the organ” (The Sunday Times), British organist Jane Parker-Smith has gained an international reputation for her prodigious technique and innate interpretative ability, making her one of the most sought-after organists in the world.
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Sunday, January 12, 2020, at 7:30 PM
Christian Schmitt, organ
SCHUMANN Fugue on B-A-C-H No. 1
Toshio HOSOKAWA Cloudscape
BACH Toccata and Fugue in F, BWV 540
LANGLAIS Étude for Pedal Solo No. 7, “Alleluia”
Arvo PÄRT Annum per annum
BACH “Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele,” BWV 654a
REGER Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H, Op. 46
Charismatic German-born virtuoso Christian Schmitt, who has amassed a discography of 40 recordings, has appeared as soloist – and in collaboration with the world’s leading musicians – throughout the world. Don’t miss his debut at the Walt Disney Concert Hall organ with a Bach-centric program.
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Sunday, February 23, 2020, at 7:30 PM
Wayne Marshall, organ
Wayne MARSHALL Improvisation on themes of Bernstein, “Homage à Lenny”
DUPRÉ Symphonie-Passion, Op. 23
George C. BAKER Deux Evocations
WIDOR Organ Symphony No. 6 in G minor, Op. 42, No. 2
Andrew AGER Toccata and Fugue
MESSIAEN “Les mages” and “Dieu parmi nous” from La Nativité du Seigneur
Wayne MARSHALL Improvisation on themes of Beethoven
British-born Wayne Marshall is a triple threat, appearing around the world as an organist, pianist, and conductor. His abilities in jazz as well as classical music make him particularly well suited for the glittering improvisations on Bernstein and Beethoven that will bookend his Walt Disney Concert Hall recital. “…Sheer technical bravado… breathtaking speeds…stunning virtuosity…such brilliant playing.” (Gramophone)
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Sunday, May 24, 2020, at 7:30 PM
Monica Czausz, organ
BACH Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
KARG-ELERT Sinfonische Kanzone, Op. 85, No. 2
BRAHMS (arr. Czausz) Six Pieces, Op. 118 – Intermezzo in A minor
BRAHMS (arr. Czausz) Six Pieces, Op. 118 – Intermezzo in A major
BRAHMS (arr. Czausz) Six Pieces, Op. 118 – Ballade in G minor
COPLAND Preamble for a Solemn Occasion
TCHAIKOVSKY (trans. Guillou/Czausz) Scherzo from Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”
WHITLOCK Fantasie Choral No. 2 in F-sharp minor
DVOŘÁK (trans. Lemare/Czausz) Carnival Overture, Op. 92
American virtuoso Monica Czausz has been recognized as one of the top 20 organists under 30, for her “superior accomplishments, leadership, creativity, and innovative thinking” (The Diapason). The recipient of first prize in numerous competitions, Czausz makes her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut with this recital, including thrilling transcriptions of Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák.
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All concerts take place at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Tickets for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2019/20 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall are currently available. To purchase, please visit laphil.com or the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office. For more information, please call 323 850 2000.
About the Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres – orchestral, chamber, and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music, and pop – at two of L.A.’s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil’s season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from September through June and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, learning, and community programs.
