By hannover-web.com Juho Pohjonen, the renowned Nordic pianist, recently teamed up with musicians from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) to deliver a remarkable performance of Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet, a hallmark of the Romantic era. This event served as the opening concert for LACO’s 2024/25 season, aptly themed “Romantics: Schubert’s Trout,” held at Rothenberg Hall in the Huntington Library, San Marino.
The evening featured Pohjonen and LACO musicians as they showcased two significant piano pieces from the Romantic period: Schumann’s E-flat major Piano Quintet and Schubert’s A major “Trout” Quintet. The concert kicked off with Schumann’s “Three Romances,” a touching work he composed for his wife during a challenging time in his mental health journey. The “Trout” Quintet came alive through the musicians’ outstanding interpretation, culminating in a vibrant and dynamic performance.
Margaret Batjer, LACO’s concertmaster and chamber music director, curated this concert. Pohjonen has received international acclaim, enchanting audiences around the globe with his unique musical interpretations. His recent collaborations include esteemed orchestras such as the German Radio Philharmonic, Taiwan Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
LACO extended special thanks to Chinese-American couple June Li and Simon Li for sponsoring the “Romantics: Schubert’s Trout” concert. Both are deeply invested in Chinese history, culture, and the arts, actively engaging in numerous charitable initiatives focused on artifact preservation and arts research. June Li serves as a founding director of the Huntington Library’s Flora L. Thornton Opera Pavilion, while Simon Li boasts decades of experience in journalism and has received the Distinguished Service Alumni Award from Columbia University.
Following this inaugural concert, LACO is set to present “Trailblazers,” launching their symphonic series later this month. Featured artist, baritone Thomas Bauer, will perform Gustav Mahler’s song cycle “Songs of a Wayfarer,” conducted by Music Director Jaime Martín, who will also lead Mahler’s D major Symphony No. 2, a work rich with gentle melancholy. For concert dates and further information, attendees can explore LACO’s official website at laco.org/events/.
