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In the last few years, Los Angeles has taken a risk in hiring brilliant (but young) conductors who gained recognition due to their potential and their interpretations of the Mahler symphonies (see Salonen). This new conductor has a craze to call his own, "Dudamania" (chronicled by the LA Times). The announcement of Gustavo Dudamel's appointment as the next music director of the LA Phil has created a phenomenon here and abroad, with comparisons to the great Leonard Bernstein, and sold out shows across the globe.
He has a hot dog named after him at Pink's already (the "Dude" dog and was heard saying "I want to try me!") and has embraced Los Angeles in its entirety, rooting for the Lakers AND the Clippers. He is also working with the LA Phil to promote classical music in Los Angeles, hoping to replicate the popular el Sistema which would give the youth an unprecedented exposure to classical music.
You can catch him this week at the Disney Hall tonight, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, conducting the Israel Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The program with the Israel Philharmonic incidentally pairs him with some of Bernstein's iconic pieces, and the Tchaikovsky 4th (performed to much acclaim with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra). He also conducts Strauss and Beethoven this weekend, and Ligeti. These shows are highly anticipated, so buy your tickets soon before they sell out.
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra | November 24th @ the Walt Disney Concert Hall
Dudamel Conducts Strauss and Beethoven | November 28th-30th @ the Walt Disney Concert Hall
