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
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
Coming to a Concert Hall Near You: A Zombie Apocalypse
'Tis the season for new season announcements from orchestras across the United States and already there's a trend: dead composers. Now, I listen to dead people as much as the next guy, but I also love new music. Part of what makes classical music so great is that the new stuff builds on, refines, and … Continue reading Coming to a Concert Hall Near You: A Zombie Apocalypse
YOLA and the LA Phil in Boston
2014 LA Phil Radio Broadcasts
Below you'll find the complete listings of the 2014 LA Philharmonic radio broadcasts, which begin locally on KUSC this Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. (National syndication continues this season as well, with air dates/times varying by market.) A few things about this year's series, which I'm particularly excited about: 5 world premieres (all are LA … Continue reading 2014 LA Phil Radio Broadcasts
Street Symphony’s Musical Activism: “We’re creating deeply vulnerable spaces where we’re allowed to feel.”
“To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts – such is the duty of the artist.” ~Robert Schumann Schumann's simple creed has become the mission of a group of local musicians and musical activists known as Street Symphony: the brainchild of LA Philharmonic violinist Vijay Gupta, who tells me it grew out of a relationship … Continue reading Street Symphony’s Musical Activism: “We’re creating deeply vulnerable spaces where we’re allowed to feel.”
Dude Looks Like He Likes Pianists
For a violinist who wanted to be a trombone player, Gustavo Dudamel sure does love his superstar pianists. Awhile back, I crunched the numbers on the LA Philharmonic's 2013-14 season (in terms of musical eras represented). I didn't catch it at the time, but today while perusing the upcoming season once again, I kept running … Continue reading Dude Looks Like He Likes Pianists
LA Phil 2013-14: By the Numbers
Much has already been written about the LA Phil's new 2013-14 season, just announced yesterday at Walt Disney Concert Hall. (In my estimation, the most insightful summations come from Mr. CK Dexter Haven at All is Yar and Timothy Mangan at Classical Life.) As orchestras around the country hemorrhage audiences, money, and relevance, a few--like … Continue reading LA Phil 2013-14: By the Numbers
Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic on Stravinsky’s Rite
This weekend, the LA Philharmonic performs Igor Stravinsky's seminal masterpiece, The Rite of Spring, with music director Gustavo Dudamel. The concerts mark the opening of the 2012-13 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall. I spoke with Dudamel as well as several members of the LA Phil about what it's like to perform The Rite. Here … Continue reading Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic on Stravinsky’s Rite
Sound the (Principal) Trumpet: It’s Thomas Hooten
All season long, the LA Philharmonic has been on Principal Trumpet Watch. Current principal, Donald Green, retires at the end of this Hollywood Bowl season. The LA Phil actually offered the position to Thomas Hooten, principal trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony, and probably the most highly sought after orchestral trumpeter in the world. But the … Continue reading Sound the (Principal) Trumpet: It’s Thomas Hooten
Brian Lauritzen 