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Philharmonia Orchestra

Jason Victor Serinus on November 5, 2012
Esa-Pekka Salonen
Esa-Pekka Salonen

Esa-Pekka Salonen, the composer/conductor who until recent years led the Los Angeles Philharmonic, brings to the Pacific shore the same Philharmonia Orchestra whose many recordings — ArkivMusic.com lists a mere 1,590! — with some of the greatest conductors of the latter 20th century who have achieved legendary status. In November, they tackle one of the undisputed masterpieces of that century, in a concert that includes two singers celebrated for their performances in this opera, Johan Reuter and Angela Denoke. If you still think that atonal music = unlistenable, wait until you hear how brilliantly Berg’s riveting score captures the dead-end decadence of modern life.