Los Angeles Master Chorale

Los Angeles Master Chorale presents some of the best music in the world. However, «THE WATER PASSION» was an extreme exception. The performance was more Noise than music. After 15 minutes I could no longer take the shrill sounds. There was also a lot of discord in the ill fated presentation. I had to walk out. My wife stayed and suffered to the end in the hope that the performance would improve, It did not. Don’t waste your time, money, or hearing.

Saw the premier of Songs of Ascent, the newest work by composer Shawn Kirchner. Brilliant composition, captivating and personal. A positive religious experience full of hope and joy. Just what we need in this world. This is a winner! It makes me proud to be a patron of the arts. If you seek beauty and love chorale music, this is a must see!

Saw them perform the new piece Missa Latina last night. Breath taking.
:STAR: Amazing facility. Frank Gehry out-​did himself this time.
:STAR: Great staff who is helpful and pleasant.
:STAR: a full, professional, vibrant orchestra
:STAR: a 100+ person choice in beautiful dresses and white and black tuxedos.
:STAR: LIVE, BEAUTIFUL, heartfelt music. Massive and yet delicate.
This place, in addition to this Choral, puts LA on the map of music greatness.

My first trip to L.A. and I was lucky enough to have tickets to the season’s last Christmas concert. Point of disclosure: my cousin sings in the chorale (thus: the sweet seats).
While I didn’t have the pleasure of hearing kids singing with the chorale as Tak K. mentioned, I did get to hear lovely music sung by the professionals themselves. The songs were beautiful — old and new pieces, with the soloists helping to bring them to life.
A few pieces were even written by members of the audience (composers who wanted to hear how good their stuff really was), and more impressively, some of the pieces were scripted by chorale members themselves. After some somber and echoing older songs, one African piece written by a current chorale member, brought the crowd to its feet thanks to its pithy beat and the playful joy even the chorale itself couldn’t help but exude.
Patrons ranged in age from the young to the very very ardent followers of the arts. There was a familial atmosphere as many were season regulars, or just friendly folks who would strike up a conversation with their neighbors.
Disney Hall was in itself, an amazing venue. The shredded-​paper-​like beautiful wooden organ, and the resounding acoustics, not to mention the cushy seats with all around great views, really made my trip a special one.
I definitely would come to hear the Master Chorale next time I’m in LA.

I went to attend a Christmas-​themed concert by this group a few days ago. The group is consisted of full chorus, brass and percussion players, a pianist, and an organist. Since Christmas is obviously a Christian event, of course organ accompanied many songs. It’s pretty enormous to hear such songs with such a big organ in a concert hall. The chorus itself was pretty good. They tackled difficult pieces in Baroque and Modern periods, along with Christmas songs from around the world. Such mix of music, along with sing-​alongs, made my heart warm with holiday spirit, which doesn’t happen too often.
However, this concert included three pieces written by kids, sang with children chorus. These pieces have nothing to do with Christmas, and show all-​too-​typical depiction of Italy, Japan, and Africa. I’m sure, by showing pieces written by and sang with kids, parents would be encouraged to have their kids join into children chorus, thus serves the purpose of such organizations. Nevertheless, I would rather have such children pieces to be presented in other concerts. Where we sat showed that this concert charged premium ticket prices. Why would I want to listen to substandard pieces written by children while paying a premium price? OK OK, I’m sure I’d feel differently if I had a kid. But for now, I would prefer otherwise. Another reservation (minor) is lighting change. That gets occasionally cheesy, and depicts how the name of this hall unfortunately fits. Yeah, such is the fate of a family concert, so I’ll hopefully rate higher for a serious concert. So I will keep the four-​star despite these reservations.

i’ve experienced the Master Chorale sing live at the Holiday Celebration in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center two years ago and last night they performed the Holiday Wonders concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
i especially love their a capella pieces. Along with members from LA Phil, they’re awesome as well. John West, the organist, is quite talented, and Grant Gershon is quite personable on stage and picks great pieces /​programme for the group.
i bought my bf and another friend tickets for the Holiday Wonders concert last night at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, dead center front center row AA (very first row). it was awesome to see the percussionists tinker with their auxiliary instruments. however, i would recommend sitting a few rows back in front orchestra row A. you’re still first row of sorts but in a higher tier, so it’s a better view.
i’ve also sat in the nose-​bleed balcony section (very top row, last seat next to the exit). even there it’s not a bad view. there’s a seat suitable for everyone’s price range.
if you like classically-​trained vocals, you must check out the Master Chorale! (they don’t even need mics!)