I was invited to a concert of Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic Sunday. Actually it was a film special wide screen concert , and it was fantastic.
It was an incredible performance – Tchaikovsky’s three Overture-Fantasies inspired by Shakespeare plays – Hamlet, The Tempest, and Romeo and Juliet. Interspersed between these wonderful symphonic poems readings from the Bard’s immortal works. See http://www.laphil.com/laphillive/. There were tears.
The music was perfect. Dudamel was great and not as expressive as the photos often show him. He is so natural and not a egocentric maestro. It is clear the orchestra loves him. The music was as it was one instrument. His interpretation is deep and so clear. The camera work was so revealing. It is an amazement to me how each one of the players and their instrument was as a complete instrument for expression. The whole thing was the best example I have seen of absolute oneness of perfect performing art.
And that this is going about the US and Canada is so good for the arts. And Gustavo’s dedication to youth is so needed. He is only 28 years old, but so connected the great history of music to today’s audience. In this fragmented world, to know that the young indeed can get into the beauty and discipline of good music for an hour or two, is a great service to mankind. Dudamel will make a big impact in the world of music.
Please check locally where the next one – June 5 (Brahms) may be in a theater near you in America and Canada. Check the web site with a trailer at http://www.laphil.com/laphillive/toolkit.cfmI highly recommend it. An unforgettable experience.
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