By Alex Banx
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/06/2022— It’s beautiful, it’s memorable, it’s timeless, it’s classic, it’s Tchaikovsky w/ a triumphant twist that sings to us in rhythms that only the artistry of compositions crafted by LA Phil’s, Gustavo Dudamel can.
I first witnessed Dudamel’s creative genius in 2017 at the Hollywood Bowl as LA Phil’s heated instruments amplified sections of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’ accompanying an amazing ballet performance featuring the stunning Misty Copeland.
It may be safe to say most Americans born for 1999 grew up watching Chuck Jones’ Looney Tunes. The original Looney Tunes series (including other directors like Tex Avery and Friz Freleng) debuted in 1930 and continued until 1969 but remained in daily syndication on broadcast television until Cartoon Network took control of the library in 2000, limiting the shows reach.
Those of us who had the pleasure of laughing and learning through these legendary and sometimes brutal animated tales also got an in-depth introduction to classical music presented to us in a far more visually interesting format than we struggled to stay awake through during elementary school plays and music recitals. The Looney Tunes not only introduced many of us to Strauss, Chopin, Beethoven, Wagner, and Tchaikovsky, my personal favorite classical composer, but Bugs, Daffy, Elmer, Marvin, Wiley, and the gang propelled us into embracing a passion of orchestral music.
Not since those Saturday mornings devotedly watching cartoons in the living room have I felt that intensity again while listening to classical music; not until watching Venezuela-native, Gustavo Dudamel, conduct the LA Philharmonic and listening as he shares his imagination with the world.
The Hollywood Times was delighted to be invited to experience Dudamel’s ‘Nutcracker: Tchaikovsky & Ellington’ live, opening night, at the Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles.
Whether you love the Nutcracker, whether you love holiday cheer, this is for music lovers. Dudamel composed a swinging journey that never hits a dull spot.
To save our readers time, I want to fast forward to the second act, this was where the audience really gains that one-of-a-kind experience. The melody, the timing, the unexpected, the Ellington! Dudamel and LA Phil took two talents from the past and project them far into the future flourishing together so gracefully like it was always meant to be. There were moments where I had to resist the urge to get up dance. I looked around to see if mine was the only head bobbing, the only toes tapping; I was not alone.
The energy was high and the evening, phenomenal.
Not only is 5-time Grammy Award winning Dudamel a beautiful and exciting composer, Gustavo, LA Phil and partners founded YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) which provides free instrument, instruction, and leadership. How wonderful is that?
The Nutcracker with Dudamel: Tchaikovsky & Ellington. Highly recommended.
The show runs from Dec 3 – Dec 18, 2023 at the Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
For more information, visit LAPhil.com
