Gustavo Dudamel ready for his Disney Hall close-up
Tonight will be a night of many firsts for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Gustavo Dudamel will conduct his first concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall as the orchestra's new music director. Composer John Adams will be on hand to present the world premiere of "City Noir," a piece that the Philharmonic commissioned. And the Music Center will offer its first outdoor simulcast of an L.A. Phil concert -- to an expected crowd of 3,000.
If that's not enough, there will be celebrities and press galore on hand tonight for what is being billed as Dudamel's Inaugural Concert. The evening, which officially starts at 7 p.m., features a performance of "City Noir" followed by Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1.
The concert will be broadcast live on KUSC-FM (91.5). It is also being taped for a PBS broadcast later this fall as well as a coming DVD release by Deutsche Grammophon.
Unlike Saturday's Hollywood Bowl concert, "¡Bienvenido Gustavo!," tonight's performance is a formal event where many in the audience will be decked out in tuxedos and evening gowns. Following the concert, there will be a dinner on closed-off Grand Avenue for VIPs and guests who purchased a Gala package.
Culture Monster will be on the ground and reporting from Disney Hall and the Music Center plaza. So check back for stories, updates, photos and Mark Swed's review of the concert.
-- David Ng
Photo: Dudamel, at a rehearsal with the L.A. Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times
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How is it possible that a corporation like Disney can go to City Hall and get a permit for a concert that is in direct violation of City Law?
The LA Noise Ordinance specifies 10PM on weekdays. This concert went on, IN THE STREET, until midnight!
I live on the 19th floor in the building down the street, and I couldn't sleep because of this racket, with the windows closed!
There were no notices posted anywhere in my building or in the buildings across the street, according to the people who live there, who were outside complaining to Disney at the same time I was.
LA Times needs to do a story on this and make it known that we who live here are fed up with the noise.
I'm actually voting with my feet - I'm moving. But that's not enough. I think Disney and LA Phil should publicly apologize to the residents here.
Posted by: Thor Melsted | October 09, 2009 at 12:31 AM
I moved from to a cultural wasteland called Dallas. If Thor Melsted will become upset with the music, which he refers to as "racket", I would be happy to trade residences with him anytime that the Los Angeles Philharmonic is going to perform.
Posted by: Larry Linn | October 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Mr. Sore Melsted, why did you move there? It has been perforing at the Musis Center since 1964, and there have been performances at the Hollywood Bowl since 1922.
Posted by: Larry Linn | October 10, 2009 at 01:03 PM