Los Angeles Master Chorale Showcases Holiday Classics December 13, 2009

Los Angeles Master Chorale Showcases Holiday Classics by Ramirez, Susa, Vaughan Williams and Charpentier at “Rejoice!”
Sunday, December 13, 7:00 P.M. at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Special Guests Include Huayucaltia and Organist John West
The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) continues its popular tradition of presenting a diverse range of holiday classics at its annual “Rejoice!” concert on Sunday, December 13, 2009, 7:00 P.M., at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Music Director Grant Gershon conducts Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve, a charming French Baroque work by Marc-Antoine Charpentier; Ralph Vaughan Williams’ climactic Fantasia on Christmas Carols for organ, chorus and baritone soloist, featuring Chorale member Abdiel Gonzalez, baritone; and Conrad Susa’s A Christmas Garland, a glorious fanfare for brass and organ. In addition, LAMC Assistant Conductor Ariel Quintana conducts Ariel Ramirez’s captivating Navidad Nuestra, featuring guest ensemble Huayucaltia, acclaimed for its compelling ethno-Latin grooves. John West is guest organist.

Huayucaltia adds to the richness of Ramirez’s piece with its indigenous and contemporary Latin American instruments and its unique fusion of Andean, Afro-Peruvian, jazz, rock and classical influences. Huayucaltia’s name (why-you-call-tia) is derived from the Nahuatl word “huayolcayotl” or kinship, which the members interpret as meaning unity and brotherhood. The band has toured throughout the United States and Perú.

Critically acclaimed organist John West has appeared with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and with the inimitable Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, and has toured extensively in the Republic of Soviet States, South America, Puerto Rico and the United States. Locally, West has performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Spreckles Organ Pavilion, the Hollywood Bowl and Ambassador Auditorium and elsewhere. West appeared with the Chorale last December.

Tickets range from $19 - $124. Group rates are available. For tickets and information, please call (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org. (Tickets can no longer be purchased at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office except on concert days starting 2 hours prior to the performance.) The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Official Website: http://www.lamc.org