Paavo Rachs Out in L.A.

Oh, yes, it's true. PJ is in Los Angeles this week for two all-Rachmaninoff concerts with the LA Philharmonic (Thursday, April 6 at 8 pm and Sunday, April 9 at 2 pm) in the beautiful new Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall.

On the program: Vocalise; Piano Concerto No. 2; and Symphony No. 2. Due to illness, Helene Grimaud will not be able to appear. In her place will be the great American pianist, Andre Watts.

Paavo will also conduct a performance of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 on Friday, April 7 at 8 pm as part of "First Nights", a series designed to introduce audiences to orchestral music. Each concert concentrates on a single piece and provides background information in different ways.

Dr. Thomas Forrest Kelly, who wrote the book First Nights upon which the series is based, offers his engaging observations and analysis of Rachmaninoff's romantically lush Symphony No. 2.

Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 850-2000