It was a festive atmosphere inside and outside Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday as the LA Phil unveiled plans (and a new logo) for its 100th anniversary. The actual date of the first concert by the LA Phil was October 24, 1919, so technically the orchestra's birthday is still nearly two years away. However, … Continue reading LA Phil at 100: Celebrating the Past by Looking to the Future
Learning to Hate: A Story Whose Relevance Reaches Beyond the West Side
At the climax of West Side Story, Maria brandishes the gun that killed her star-crossed lover, Tony, and declares that, "We all killed him," because of the unbroken cycle of violence and hate between the two rival gangs. "I can kill now," Maria screams, "Because I hate now too!" When they programmed a concert performance … Continue reading Learning to Hate: A Story Whose Relevance Reaches Beyond the West Side
Resurrection of Hope
It's been a hell of a week. As we struggled to process the murder of Alton Sterling, we learned of the murder of Philando Castile. The Washington Post tells us 509 people have been killed by police this year. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune tells us that 148 people have been killed by police in Minnesota since 2000 … Continue reading Resurrection of Hope
Conductors Conducting the Climax of Mahler 2
The Symphony No. 2 by Gustav Mahler is the biggest, most epic symphonic statement since Beethoven's 9th. It's subtitled "Resurrection," and the work climaxes with the words: O Pain, You piercer of all things, From you, I have been wrested! O Death, You conqueror of all things, Now, are you conquered! With wings which I … Continue reading Conductors Conducting the Climax of Mahler 2
LA Phil 2016-17: By the Numbers
I do this every year: leave the punditry to others and tally up the stats. Here's what 2016-17 looks like at the LA Phil. Unlike in years past, I have only included performances by the LA Phil--no visiting artists. 21 commissions, 14 world premieres, 5 U.S. premieres, and 5 West Coast premieres. This beats last … Continue reading LA Phil 2016-17: By the Numbers
How to Fix Classical Music
Money (1950). Lascivious musicians (1530). The gramophone (1930). Money (1969). Claude Debussy (1902). The violin (1740). Money (1683). YouTube (2013). Ludwig van Beethoven (1827). Money (1903). Popular music (1324). The compact disc (2009). Money (1987). Figured bass (1609). An aging audience (1960s-present). For centuries, classical music has been on the brink of death. Over the … Continue reading How to Fix Classical Music
11 Conductors Who Are Doing Something Else While Conducting
1. Herbert von Karajan grumpily churning the butter. 2. Valery Gergiev mostly likely suffering from food poisoning. 3a. Gustavo Dudamel suddenly noticing there's a scorpion on his hand. 3b. Gustavo Dudamel touches a hot stove and refuses to learn that he will get burned. 4. Pierre Boulez brings you the glass of … Continue reading 11 Conductors Who Are Doing Something Else While Conducting
Composer Emojis
Because no one has done this yet...at least not that I have found. 😇 Bach - soli deo gloria 👂 Beethoven - say what? 😲 Berlioz - currently hallucinating 😴 Brahms - go to sleep ⏳ Cage - time matters 🗽 Copland - the Dean 🌜 Debussy - ask Clair 🚂 Dvorak - he really liked trains … Continue reading Composer Emojis
Here’s the thing about Gustavo Dudamel…
I've never particularly cared for the third movement of Dvořák's New World Symphony. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it, but for me it has only ever been the thing that happens in between the serene beauty of the slow movement and the Jaws-like introduction to the finale. The third movement is fine. I've just never loved it. … Continue reading Here’s the thing about Gustavo Dudamel…
LA Phil 2015-16: By the Numbers
The LA Phil has announced its 2015-16 season--Gustavo Dudamel's seventh as music director--and there is a lot to be excited about. As has become my custom, I leave most of the punditry to others (All is Yar and Classical Life are always good places to start). I always like to run the numbers on each … Continue reading LA Phil 2015-16: By the Numbers
Brian Lauritzen 