At the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by conductor Gustavo Dudamel, brought forth the best in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 In C-Sharp Minor.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 03-09-2025
With Finnish conductor Georg Schnéevoigt leading the way, the first LA Phil performance of Mahler’s Fifth took place on February 28, 1929. Since he died in 1911, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 In C-Sharp Minor (1901-04) has risen in the classical orchestra repertory as one of the genuinely significant challenges for conductors. Thus, in his final season before moving on to take over the New York Philharmonic, it makes sense that Gustavo Dudamel would add this challenge to the LA Phil’s 2025 concert schedule.
As part of the Mahler Grooves Festival, Dudamel showed why he is considered one of the world’s finest conductors today. With a delightful balance of verve and precision, he led the LA Phil into a powerfully expressive and moving rendition of the symphony. Indeed, the challenge of Mahler’s Fifth is that an orchestra must truly come together and play as one. Without the microcosm of the individual players melding into the synchronicity of a holistic macrocosm, the incredible bridge between romanticism and modernism could never be crossed.
From the beginning of the symphony, signaled by the clarion call of a trumpet, the flow and march of history are conveyed. Mahler captures the progressive waves of historical momentum by demanding the unified participation of the whole orchestra. Although the composition has outstanding solos, from the opening trumpet to moments for the French horn, flute, and clarinet, none of them mean anything on their own. Instead, the solos accent a whole that overcomes the listener like an effervescent tidal wave of beauty.
Like multiple reflections in a fractured mirror, each instrument provides a fleeting perspective of the time and place when Mahler created his masterpiece. Since humans are mortal, perfection is impossible, so the mirror is fractured. Thus, unlike in many compositions, the strings, the woodwinds, the brass, and the percussion do not battle for dominance. Instead, they come together to form complementary parts of a whole like a well-oiled machine but also with emotion and a quiet desperation. Mahler’s Fifth is incredibly precise without sacrificing what is necessary to remain human.
With an undeniable passion, Dudamel led the LA Phil in an engaging and energetic performance. From the first note to the last, he kept the orchestra playing together as a unified force, bringing the best out of a challenging composition. Indeed, in his final season, Dudamel reminded his audience why they cherish his presence today and will miss him tomorrow.