On Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 8 p.m., WDAV broadcasts the season-opening concert of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel. The concert, recorded live on Thursday, October 7, is titled “Celebracion.” It features arguably the hottest conductor on the planet, paired with arguably the finest lyric tenor of his (or many a) generation: Juan Diego Florez.
The program for the evening:
ROSSINI: Overture to La Gazza Ladra
ROSSINI: ‘Principe piu non se’ from La Cenerentola
ROSSINI: Overture to Semiramide
ROSSINI: La speranze piu soave from Semiramide
–Intermission–
GRANDA: La flor de la canela
LARA: Granada
MONCAYO: Huapango
GREVER: Juarme
GUTIERREZ: Alma Llanera
MARQUEZ: Danzon No. 2
–Encores–
DONIZETTI: Ah, mes amis from La Fille du Regiment
VERDI: La donna e mobile from Rigoletto
Hear the WDAV broadcast in the Charlotte region at 89.9 FM, online at http://www.wdav.org, and on any iPhone or iPad equipped with the Public Radio Player or NPR apps.
This broadcast of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is made possible by the members of WDAV Classical Public Radio. Support WDAV’s great classical music from the Carolinas and beyond with your financial gift today!
Posted on NPR.org by Brian Lauritzen
October 7, 2010
Almost exactly one year ago, a 28-year-old conductor named Gustavo Dudamel marked his first concert as the new music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. At the time, the classical music world was, it’s safe to say, drowning in “Dudamania.”
Everyone was buzzing about the new, young Venezuelan who had been dubbed everything from the “savior of classical music” to more appropriate accolades such as “a conducting animal.” In any case, there’s no doubting Dudamel’s passion on the podium.
Now, a year has passed. The shock of the new might have faded a little, but all things Dudamel still command attention. Which is precisely why we’re presenting the gala opening concert of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The program, titled “Celebracion,” features arguably the hottest conductor on the planet, paired with arguably the finest lyric tenor of his (or many a) generation: Juan Diego Florez (pictured together below).
The Peruvian tenor is a close friend of Dudamel’s and is making his Walt Disney Concert Hall debut. The two pals have concocted a program, centered on the effervescent music of Gioachino Rossini, but also celebrating Latin American pieces and canciones by Pablo Moncayo, Arturo Marquez and Pedro Elias Gutierrez.
Even before this official second-season opening concert starts, here on the ground in Los Angeles, I can tell that Dudamel’s relationship with the orchestra is deepening. This season, he’ll be even more visible, leading 12 different subscription programs in addition to tonight’s gala. They’ve already completed their first U.S. tour together, and though critical response was uneven, the players got a chance to spend relaxing time with their dynamic young maestro offstage. The repertoire is also deepening: Among the works Dudamel will conduct this season will be Messiaen’s Turangalila Symphony, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 and Brahms’ A German Requiem.
Listening to Dudamel and the orchestra is necessarily an aural rather than a visual delight. But I maintain that you can hear the excitement on his face, the passion and the fire he brings to every score on his music stand.
Afterwards, he’ll no doubt decompress with a little salsa music (a staple on his iPod), and then maybe page through a few books of baby names. Earlier this week, Dudamel announced that he and wife Eloísa Maturén are expecting their first child — a boy. Just one more important ingredient in what will certainly be an exciting season for both Dudamel and his throngs of listeners.
Read more about Gustavo Dudamel on NPR.org.