Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

[suzyq]

PBS televised Dudamel's  inaugural concert - did anyone see it on TV or lucky enough to have seen him conduct in person? I'd be interested in your "reviews".

[DavidW]

Was that the Mahler 1st?  Think I heard some of it on the radio.  Good enough, have to hear something interesting to get a better sense of the conductor.

[secondwind]

I saw the Mahler on PBS. Dudamel was great fun to watch, and I thought the performance was gripping. I was sorry that I missed the beginning of the concert. I'll watch for a rebroadcast.

[secondwind]

I'm surprised no one else has weighed in on this.  Second chance? 

[karlhenning]

I didn't watch (was at the MFA that evening).

[bhodges]

I saw the broadcast and liked it a lot, and the orchestra looked like they were having a great time.  The Adams is a fine listen, sort of like a "Los Angeles symphony" in three parts, roughly fast-slow-fast.  Now and then it sounds like a Hollywood film score, e.g., a trumpet solo that reminded me of the Chinatown score, and some other elements that evoke film noir.

Some friends who know the Mahler score better than I do were complaining that Dudamel was taking "too many liberties," e.g., some half-measure rubatos, and they weren't sold on some of his facial emoting.  Points noted, but whatever the case, it was a riveting performance and the audience clearly thought so, too -- not to mention the looks of pleasure on the musicians' faces.  I won't say it was "the best Mahler First I've ever heard," but I liked it enough to listen again when they rebroadcast it on Sunday.  (And I'd like to hear the Adams again.)

The production was filmed by veteran Brian Large, and also had some nice shots of the Disney Hall interior, e.g., some long shots from the back of the balcony, where you have the advantage of being able to take in a view of the entire room.  (There are very few, if any, bad seats in the place.)  I noticed after the program that the concert is also available on DVD. 

--Bruce

[bhodges]

In addition to the upcoming television broadcast with Dudamel and the LA Phil on PBS (Dec. 29 on Great Performances), now the orchestra is going to broadcast concerts in movie theaters, live in HD like the Met (and others).  Here's the schedule of three broadcasts:

http://www.laphil.com/laphillive/programs.cfm#program1

--Bruce