The Los Angeles Philharmonic, founded in 1919, puts an emphasis not only on beloved classics but on exciting contemporary works, of which music director Esa-Pekka Salonen is a passionate and persuasive advocate. The ensemble is unusually interactive with the Los Angeles community. Its summer home is at the legendary Hollywood Bowl. Here's a selected list of concerts from the first half of the season. Check out our recommended recordings of works being played. For more information on the Los Angeles Philharmonic and how to order tickets, call (323) 850-2000 or visit their website at laphil.org.

November 18-21, 1999

Paavo Berglund, conductor;
Cho-Liang Lin, violin
Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto; Shostakovich, Symphony No. 8

November 26-28, 1999

Jesus Lopez-Cobos, conductor;
Alicia de Larrocha, piano
Montsalvatge, Concierto breve; Turina, The Toreador's Prayer; Dvorak, Symphony No. 9

December 3-5, 1999

David Robertson, conductor;
Lynn Harrell, cello
Ives, Three Places in New England; Lutoslawski, Cello Concerto; Janacek, Sinfonietta

December 9-12, 1999

Zubin Mehta, conductor;
Anna Larsson, contralto;
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Brahms, Alto Rhapsody; Beethoven, Overture, Leonore No. 2; Schubert, Gesang der Geister uber den Wassern; Prokofiev, Cantata,
Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78

January 13-15, 2000

Manfred Honeck, conductor;
Matthias Goerne, baritone
Mahler, Kindertotenlieder

January 22-23, 2000

Roger Norrington, conductor;
Faye Robinson, soprano;
Elizabeth Bishop, mezzo;
Gregg Baker, baritone;
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Tippett, A Child of Our Time;

January 27, 29, 30, 2000