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The Arts Intel Report

Chris Thile & Appalachian Spring

Chris Thile

August 22, 2023
2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States

ATTENTION!—italics and all caps, please! That’s the title of the centerpiece of this evening’s program, an LA Phil commission in its West Coast premiere. Described as “a narrative song cycle for an extroverted mandolinist and orchestra,” it supposedly tells the true story of the time the bluegrass/classical mandolin superstar Chris Thile “attempted to impress a Starbucks executive and accidentally met Carrie Fisher as a result.” He promises that it’s a “DOOZY!” (more caps, roman). Teddy Abrams, champion of new American maverick scores (including some he writes himself) is the conductor. —Matthew Gurewitsch

Photo: © Josh Goleman