The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, a collection of professional studio musicians, keeps it fresh this season by including new, young voices in its classical and cross-genre repertoire.
In last Saturday night’s show at the Alex Theatre, a superb piece by 28-year-old composer Nico Muhly was featured, as well as a brand-new mandolin concerto composed and performed by the astounding Chris Thile, also 28.
Upon hearing Muhly’s “By All Means,” a piece commissioned by the Juilliard School and the Royal Academy of Music, it was easy to see why Muhly is often called upon to compose film soundtracks (most notably for the Oscar-nominated “The Reader”). Its quirky textures, sudden outbursts, rich backgrounds and playful string plucks all worked together to create an interesting cohesive story, but one where each of the characters has a chance to speak.