Schedule Changes at LACO : Music: Sputtering economy, April riots partly to blame for two cancellations, spokesman says.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has announced the postponement of two programs--involving five scheduled performances--as well as other programming and date changes during the already announced 1992-93 season.

The decision to make these postponements and changes, said David Gersh, chairman of the orchestra’s board of directors, was based on, among other things, “the continuing recessionary economy of Los Angeles and the civil disturbances that began April 29 . . . They have negatively affected our earned and contributed income, forcing the cancellation of two of our concerts during the crisis, substantially lowering our single-ticket sales for the remainder of our season and decreasing year-end contributions from individuals.”

The postponements, Gersh continued, “only serve to keep us financially stable. While this is very disappointing, it is not in any way a crisis situation.”

Postponed for this season are two programs, the first, the Franz and Richard Strauss agenda scheduled Nov. 12 and 14 at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, and the May 12-14 program, which promised music by Bach as well as Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 14.

Both programs were scheduled to be conducted by Christof Perick, incoming music director of the orchestra.

To be rearranged and scheduled on new dates is the appearance of conductor Helmuth Rilling, originally set for Feb. 17, 18 and 19, at Ambassador Auditorium and Royce Hall, UCLA. The changed repertory and dates will be announced later, according to Deborah Rutter, executive director of LACO.

Moved from April to May, 1993, is Perick’s Stravinsky-Mozart-Schubert program originally set for April 28 and 30. It is now scheduled May 12-14 at both Ambassador Auditorium and the Japan America Theatre.

Ticketholders will be contacted, Gersh said, regarding exchanges and refunds.

Information: (213) 622-7001.