Champagne, classical music and conversation – what could be a better symphony of elements to enjoy? The opening season of Le Salon de Musiques, an ensemble of Los Angeles’ most renowned chamber music performers, continued its season of eight concerts, performed on the 5th floor of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion last Sunday.
Christopher Herbert sings while Francois Chouchan plays piano.
24 Poems Set to Music
The one-hour concert featured Schubert’s “Winterreise D911 Opus 89” with Christopher Herbert as baritone with perfect pitch and elocution, accompanied by Francois Chouchan, both master of the technical and emotional demands of this challenging piece on piano. The astounded audience gave three standing ovations in gratitude for the incredible feat the performers completed with such passion and elegance.
Intimate Performance Space
After the performance, champagne was handed out while composer and musicologist Bryon Adams moderated a one-hour interactive discussion between Chouchan, Herbert and the audience. Due to the small space, with only sprawling views of Downtown Los Angeles as set decoration and no stage separating the performers from the audience, an intimacy was created and casual conversation flowed freely. Audience members had direct access to the performers’ process and observations.
Into the Minds of the Masters
It was revealed in the Q & A session that this was the first time Chouchan and Herbert had performed the entire piece together – the audience was even more in awe by the flawless performance. Most questions were on the topic of how Herbert learned to sing with meaning in German for an hour without speaking German and how Chouchan mastered the technically difficult piece.
Herbert, Chouchan, and Adams take questions from the audience.
Next, concert–goers enjoyed petite, gourmet sandwiches and French pastries by Patina while discussing their impressions and meeting like-minded new friends.
Music Event for All
The goal of Le Salon de Musiques is “to bring together an audience of disparate backgrounds…music lovers who believe that this form of melodic artistry brings out the best in humanity” and judging by the event, they are accomplishing this goal.
Bryon Adams leads the Q & A while guests enthusiastically sip champagne.
The event does have a wide range of appeal. A seasoned music professional would glean new insights and yet the event is also accessible for someone who is merely curious and perhaps this is their first exposure to classical music.
Next Concert: Schubert and Brahms
The next Le Salon de Musiques concert and fifth in the series is February 20th, 2011 at 4:00 pm. It features Phillip Levy on violin, Victoria Miskolczy on viola, David Low on cello, and once again Francois Chouchan on piano. They will be playing Schubert’s ‘Sonatina for Violin’ and ‘Piano n.1 in D Major D 384’ as well as Brahms’ ‘Piano Quartet in G minor Opus 25′.
Tickets are $65.00 per person. There is a 10% discount if tickets are purchased for three or more concerts at once and a 20% discount for a full season subscription.
For more information on Le Salon de Musiques, visit: www.lesalondemusiques.com
