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Brian Lauritzen

Brian is the KUSC host who gets listeners home in LA traffic each afternoon. He also created the At Home series during the earliest stages of the pandemic, and hosts the LA Phil radio broadcasts and A Joyful Noise Sunday mornings on KUSC and KDFC. Brian is a popular pre-concert lecturer in Southern California — between the LA Phil, LA Opera, The Wallis, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and beyond. He has received multiple LA Press Club awards for arts journalism, and is a passionate advocate for underrepresented & marginalized groups and individuals within classical music.

MORE WITH Brian Lauritzen

Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony

Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony

On May 7th, 2024, at 7 pm, Classical California’s Brian Lauritzen will present a celebration and appreciation of Beethoven’s 9th. Together we’ll explore the question of how this symphony changed music forever and why we still connect with it so deeply today. Following this exploration: a complete performance of Beethoven’s 9th on the exact 200th anniversary of its first performance.

Beethoven
05/07/2024
Open Ears: The Endlessly Unfolding Story of Margaret Bonds

Open Ears: The Endlessly Unfolding Story of Margaret Bonds

Explore the underappreciated life and work of Margaret Bonds, a pioneering Black composer and pianist, whose music is still being discovered 46 years after her death.

Open Ears
03/01/2024
Open Ears: The Trailblazing Journey of Rudolph Dunbar

Open Ears: The Trailblazing Journey of Rudolph Dunbar

Explore the life of Rudolph Dunbar, the first Black man to conduct the Berlin and London Philharmonics, his fight for racial equality, and his mysterious career decline.

Open Ears
02/12/2024
A Playlist for Lounging by the Pool

A Playlist for Lounging by the Pool

Explore Brian Lauritzen's poolside playlist featuring classical pieces like Ravel's Jeux d’eau, Strauss's Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, and more, perfect for a sunny, relaxing day by the pool.

Playlist
06/30/2023
A Change Ahead at LA Phil

A Change Ahead at LA Phil

Gustavo Dudamel to leave LA Philharmonic for New York Philharmonic in 2026. Brian Lauritzen reflects on Dudamel's impact and anticipates his farewell tour.

Culture
02/07/2023
A Magical Half-Century Partnership

A Magical Half-Century Partnership

John Williams and Steven Spielberg reflect on their 50-year cinematic collaboration, discussing iconic films and scores, and hinting at future projects.

Culture
01/19/2023