3 years ago
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Tuxedos and glittery shot gowns stored distant for a twelvemonth and fractional were retired successful profusion Saturday to observe the gala instrumentality of Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Walt Disney Concert Hall. And adjacent though the orchestra had been performing to capableness audiences astatine the Hollywood Bowl since July, arsenic Maestro Dudamel pointed retired during affectional gathering, “This is our home. We are back.”
There was, however, a tangible consciousness that the COVID-19 pandemic is inactive with us, arsenic the assemblage was required to amusement impervious of vaccination and deterioration masks portion wrong the auditorium. Many of the musicians besides were masked.
The performance began with the World Premiere of Gabriella Ortiz’s Kauyumari — offering a vivid reflection of Ortiz’s Mexican heritage. Its musical/emotional spectrum was ideally suited to the moment, opening with a consciousness of shadowy foreboding with the funereal rumbling of a bass drum and gong. Distant (off stage) trumpets interruption done the gloom similar shafts of airy that grows into a radiant brass fanfare. Then a solo piccolo piping a playful Mexican people tune summons everyone to celebrate. The full orchestra joins successful to make a joyous creation of beingness and renewal. It whitethorn person lone lasted six minutes, but it spoke volumes.
South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho impresses portion accompanying the LA Philharmonic connected Saturday night. (Craig T. Mathew and Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging)
Vocalist Cythia Erivo, with conductor Gustavo Dudamel successful the background, performs during the LA Philharmonic’s instrumentality to Walt Disney Concert Hall connected Saturday night. (Craig T. Mathew and Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging)
The Los Angeles Philharmonic takes the signifier Saturday nighttime for the ensemble’s archetypal unrecorded show astatine Walt Disney Concert Hall since March 8, 2020. (Craig T. Mathew and Greg Grudt/Mathew Imaging)
Piano soloist Seong-Jin Cho offered a hard-hitting mentation of the archetypal question of Tchaikovsky’s archetypal soft concerto that brought the assemblage to it feet. But it was the superlative vocal styling of Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award victor Cynthia Erivo that truly shone opening with her star-bright rendition of “Somewhere” (from “West Side Story”). She past upped the tempo with jazzy interpretations of “How I Feel” and “Don’t Rain connected My Parade.”
The climatic philharmonic fireworks came successful the signifier of the last question of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 with the measurement cranked up to 11!
With the gala down them, Dudamel and the orchestra statesman the existent play Thursday with a programme again perfectly attuned to the moment: Arnold Schoenberg’s luminous “Transfigured Night” followed by Richard Strauss’ “Four Last Songs” with soprano Golda Schultz arsenic soloist; concluding with Strauss’ mystical symphonic poem, “Death and Transfiguration.”
In the coming weeks, the orchestra volition diagnostic euphony by the hottest young composer of the moment, Jessie Montgomery, her composition, “Strum”; Steven Mackey’s “Shivaree: Fantasy for Trumpet and Orchestra” (commissioned by the LA Phil); concluding with Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4” with soprano Camilla Tilling arsenic vocal soloist.
To echo Gustavo Dudamel’s sentiment, it’s large to beryllium home.
Jim Farber is simply a Los Angeles-based freelance writer.
Los Angeles Philharmonic
- Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles
- Next: “Dudamel Conducts Strauss,” 8 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Information: laphil.com
English (US) ·