KUSC to broadcast special tribute to late Ernest Fleischmann

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Classical music station KUSC (91.5 FM) will air a special program in honor of Ernest Fleischmann, the former head of the Los Angeles Philharmonic who died Sunday at 85. The broadcast is scheduled to take place at July 17 at 8 p.m.

‘The Importance of Being Fleischmann: A Memorial Tribute’ will feature interviews and conversations from a number of people who worked with Fleischmann, including the orchestra’s current president, Deborah Borda, and Juilliard dean Ara Guzelimian.

The show will also include music written in honor of Fleischmann -- John Adams’ ‘Hallelujah Junction’; Luciano Berio’s ‘Sequenza X for Trumpet and Piano’; and Steve Stucky’s ‘Second Concerto for Orchestra.’

KUSC said it will broadcast archival recordings of a 1984 session featuring Fleischmann’s introduction of a young Esa-Pekka Salonen to the orchestra as a first-time guest conductor.

Fleischmann became the orchestra’s executive director in 1969 and worked tirelessly to transform it into one of the world’s top classical-music organizations. He stepped down as head of the company in 1998 but remained active during his retirement, helping to oversee the completion of Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2003.

Times music critic Mark Swed is also expected to participate in the radio show. The program also will be available as a live stream on the KUSC website.

-- David Ng

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