This week, the Los Angeles Philharmonic launches an ambitious, absorbing event guaranteed to remind us of just how vast the concept of America really is. The Americas and Americans Festival is, according to conductor Gustavo Dudamel, “meant to link us as a people so that borders dissolve and we find those common threads and musical moments, which unite North and South America as one.” Things kick off this week, when the L. A. Philharmonic Chamber Music Society presents members of the Phil performing a deliciously dynamic program that includes Stephen Hartke's jarring yet melodious trio for violin, clarinet and piano, The Horse with the Lavender Eye; William Kraft's Encounters XI: The Demise of Suriyodhata, for English horn and percussion; Heitor Villa-Lobos's Quintet in the Form of a Choros; and Silvestre Revueltas' Homage to Garcia Lorca. Future highlights include famed Venezuelan choir master Maria Guinand and her ensemble, Schola Cantorum of Venezuela, performing Osvaldo Golijov's mesmerizing Pasion Segun San Marcos; multi–Grammy winner Pat Metheny and his “Orchestration Tour”; a theatrical presentation with film of Antonio Estevez's supremely evocative Cantata Criolla; and much more.

Tue., April 6, 8 p.m., 2010

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.