Dudamel takes up baton at LA Phil
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel has begun his tenure as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 17,400 people attended a free inaugural concert entitled ¡Bienvenido Gustavo!, which took place at the Hollywood Bowl on 3 October.
The 28-year-old Venezuelan brings his characteristic enthusiasm to the post and has promised to rejeuvenate the classical music scene in Los Angeles, where half the population is of Hispanic origin like himself. He has voiced his determination to “bring all the community to music”.
Dudamel’s first initiative in this regard is his creation of a youth orchestra for children from underprivileged areas in southern California. The YOLA Expo Center Youth Orchestra performed before the LA Philharmonic at the inaugural concert at the Hollywood Bowl. It is based on the famous Venezuelan ‘El Sistema’, at whose schools Dudamel himself studied as a conductor and violinist.
Anne-Marie Minhall will be presenting the LA Philharmonic’s opening concert with Dudamel at Walt Disney Concert Hall in October live on Classic FM at 3pm on Saturday 31 October.
