Jacaranda Music, the acclaimed concert series,at the midpoint of its 19th season, presents New Albion, a belated 50th Birthday Tribute to composer/pianist/conductor Thomas Adès (b. 1971) at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, 1220 Second Street, 90401, Saturday March 4, 2023, at 8pm. An artist conversation at 7pm in the sanctuary will include conductor Daniel Mallampalli, making his Los Angeles debut, mezzo-soprano Kathryn Krasovec, and guitarist Michael Kudirka, who participated in the enormously successful 2017 Metropolitan Opera debut of “The Exterminating Angel” based on the surreal 1962 Mexican film of the same name by Luis Bunuel.
Jacaranda’s association with Adès began in 2010, when the series welcomed him to Los Angeles with a gala party, where his new piano suite “Three Mazurkas” was performed by the composer. Grammy®-winning pianist Gloria Cheng, a Jacaranda regular, Adès specialist, and a champion this instant classic, a will perform the suite Saturday. The party also introduced “Arcadiana” Op. 12 (1994) to Jacaranda supporters.
Regarding New Albion Artistic Director Patrick Scott, said, “Due to the intense emotions of ‘Arcadiana’, its daring design, and atmosphere of forward-looking nostalgia, the string quartet is an unquestioned masterpiece. We are very excited to hear Jacaranda’s resident Lyris Quartet take on this great work, alongside three important premieres.”
The “Exterminating Angel” Symphony (2020) was recently performed in LA. The more intimate chamber music offshoots of this compelling story of a post-opera party, where the guests are psychologically trapped, are finally being heard with New Albion. “Blanca Variations” based on music performed at the party by a hired pianist named Blanca will receive its west coast premiere by pianist Andreas Fevos Apostolou making his Jacaranda debut. “Four Berceuses” trio derives from the opera’s love duets and receives its U.S. premiere with pianist Valerie Stern, Micah Wright, clarinet & Alex Granger, viola. Kudirka’s new arrangement “Three Songs from The Exterminating Angel” is based on the opera’s leading role of Leonora Palma.
Tickets: $20 for students/fixed income; $45 general admission Sanctuary Series Conversation is a 7pm with Mr. Mallampalli, Mr. Kudirka, and Ms. Krasovec Purchase tickets from www.jacarandamusic.org
Photo – Composer Thomas Ades