Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), one of the nation’s leading orchestras renowned for its wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissioning initiatives, announces the appointment of two outstanding musicians to its ranks: Nico Abondolo assumes the post of principal bass and Chris Stoutenborough assumes the post of second clarinet. Both join the Orchestra in the 2011-12 season, the 15th anniversary season of Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, which launches on September 24 and 25.
“Nico and Chris are both gifted musicians who bring to LACO tremendous musical depth, breadth, sensitivity and passion as well as great technical skill,†says Kahane. “We are delighted to welcome them to the Orchestra.â€
Abondolo, an internationally recognized leading double bass soloist and chamber musician, made his debut at age 14 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In 1983 he became the first double bass ever to win first place in the International Competition for Musical Performers in Geneva, Switzerland. Since then he has appeared with orchestras and in recital throughout the United States and Europe. Abondolo also regularly performs chamber music at La Jolla SummerFest, Ojai Music Festival, Concert Nova of Cincinnati and the St. Barth’s Music Festival. Recent highlights include collaborations with Eighth Blackbird and performances of Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat under Esa-Pekka Salonen, Schubert’s Trout Quintet with the Brentano String Quartet and John Adams’ Shaker Loops and Tan Dun’s Quintet with the composers conducting. He has appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and has toured with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Claudio Abbado, George Solti and Lorin Maazel. Additionally, he serves as principal bass for many motion picture composers and is the double bass professor at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara and a guest professor at Azusa Pacific University.
Stoutenborough performs frequently with such Southern California orchestras as the Pacific and New West symphonies and has been a member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic since 2005. Stoutenborough attended high school at the Idyllwild Arts Academy, where he studied with Yehuda Gilad. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California as a student of Professors Gilad and Michele Zukovsky. While at USC, he was honored with the Mitchell Lurie Award, was twice awarded the Bruce Zalkind Memorial Prize, and won first prize in the Pasadena Instrumental Competition. He has performed in several summer music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, the National Repertory Orchestra and the Tanglewood Music Center, where he was awarded the Gino B. Cioffi Memorial Prize for Outstanding Woodwind Performance. Stoutenborough is also a passionate clarinet teacher, running a successful studio. He resides in Southern California with his wife Laura, who is also a clarinetist.
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), called “America’s finest chamber orchestra†by Public Radio International, has established itself among the world’s top musical ensembles. Since 1997, LACO has performed under the baton of acclaimed pianist and conductor Jeffrey Kahane, hailed by critics as “visionary†and “a conductor of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity†with “undeniable charisma.†Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers. In its 42-year history, since its inaugural concerts in 1969, the Orchestra has made 29 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, and performed across North America, earning adulation from audiences and critics. Headquartered in downtown Los Angeles, LACO presents seven Orchestral Series concerts at both Glendale’s Alex Theatre and UCLA’s Royce Hall, five Baroque Conversations concerts at downtown Los Angeles’ Zipper Concert Hall, three Westside Connections chamber music concerts at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, three Family Concerts at the Alex Theatre, an annual Discover concert at Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium and an annual Silent Film screening at Royce Hall. In addition, LACO presents a Concert Gala and several fundraising events each year. For a season brochure or ticket information, please visit laco.org or call 213 622 7001.
