At the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the LA Phil and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the great Venezuelan conductor continues his farewell tour with Mahler’s masterpiece.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10-15-2025
On Sunday, October 12, in the quiet of the afternoon, the Los Angeles Philharmonic delivered an unforgettable performance. Conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Music and Artistic Director of the LA Phil, chose Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, the “Resurrection,” to mark this momentous time. The selection of this monumental work highlights Dudamel’s dedication to colossal masterpieces. It reaffirms his standing as a preeminent conductor.
The LA Phil’s programming for his final season, affectionately named “Gracias Gustavo,” presents this performance as a stunning tribute to that goal. Dudamel has consistently supported the biggest and most powerful works in the classical repertoire. This season revisits landmark compositions, celebrating the meaningful journey shared by the maestro and his orchestra.
Mahler’s Second Symphony is a deeply emotional and spiritual journey. The piece depicts a harrowing path from a hero’s funeral to a triumphant, glorious rebirth. Dudamel captured the scope of this effort in his comments, noting:
“Mahler’s Second Symphony is an event… In order to stage a performance, you first need a very large orchestra, then you need a full choir, two exceptional vocal soloists, and an organ.” Dudamel goes on to illuminate the composer’s deeper intent, explaining, “On top of these colossal musical forces, Mahler layers in nothing less than questions of life, death, and rebirth.”
Indeed, Dudamel is an ardent champion of Mahler. He understands this existential depth intimately. His personal history with the symphony makes this performance deeply meaningful. He first played Mahler’s Second when he was only 13 or 14 years old. He conducted the first movement when he was 17.
The conductor once recalled that, as a young musician, he felt “this music was the closest thing to being in heaven, to being with God.” The choice of the “Resurrection” is no accident. It serves as part of the ongoing culmination of his historic rise. This work, full of complex emotions, offers the perfect canvas for Dudamel’s dynamic interpretations.
The conductor has always had an extraordinary ability to express deep emotion and spiritual richness. He guides the LA Phil with essential strength and sensitivity. He urges the musicians to craft phrases through thorough exploration.
Dudamel reflected on the significance of this moment during his current farewell. He stated, “Now in my final season as Music & Artistic Director, I am particularly moved to join tonight’s amazing musicians in this exquisite hall to perform one of the most profound musical statements ever written.” The selection reflects his ongoing dedication to honoring the musical collaboration of the past seventeen years that has cemented his reputation.
The staging involved assembling top talent, and soprano Chen Reiss and mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor were simply outstanding. Both of their voices delivered the necessary spiritual clarity. The Los Angeles Master Chorale, led by Grant Gershon and Jenny Wong, performed with remarkable confidence. Many of them clearly felt honored to be selected for such a role, and the wide smiles on their faces reflected those feelings.
The choir’s vocal entrance in the finale, beginning softly on the very edge of audibility, brought massive assurance. This moment symbolized light’s ultimate triumph over darkness. The orchestra played with technical brilliance and intense fervor, moving the audience through every dramatic peak. The final resolution delivered a visceral moment of transcendence.
This majestic performance solidifies Dudamel’s monumental legacy in Los Angeles. It stands as a testament to the powerful, life-affirming vision he brought to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for 17 years. This is a journey through music you do not want to miss. We strongly encourage you to seek out his remaining performances this season.
Photos by Timothy Norris, Courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
