High passion at La Scala: "El Sistema" hits the ground running

By James Imam, 23 August 2015

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“a still life of "bubbles in a champagne flute" set to strings”

Reviewed at Teatro alla Scala, Milan on 21 August 2015

Stravinsky, Scherzo fantastique, Op.3

Ginastera, Dance suite from the ballet Estancia, Op.8a

Tchaikovsky, Symphony no. 4 in F minor, Op.36

Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional Infantil de Venezuela

Jesús Parra, Conductor

Gustavo Dudamel, Conductor

A vocally perplexing economics assignment from David Lang

No’a L. bat Miri, 19th March

The New York Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel deliver the world premiere of Lang's The wealth of nations, inspired by Adam Smith's famous treatise.

***11

Dudamel and Catalan choirs dazzle in Beethoven’s Missa solemnis

Néstor Castiglione, 20th February

In Los Angeles, Gustavo Dudamel conducts Beethoven's Missa solemnis for the first time... and it proves worth the wait.

*****

Dudamel turns inward with Mahler’s Resurrection in Los Angeles

Laurence Vittes, 12th October

Gustavo Dudamel continues his farewell season with a taut, searching Mahler Resurrection at Disney Hall, a performance of clarity and humility that seeks communion with the composer’s restless soul.

***11

Dudamel drives the LA Phil like a Ferrari through Stravinsky

Matthew Richard Martinez, 2nd October

Dudamel steers a thrilling ride through The Rite of Spring as the Los Angeles Philharmonic prepares to embark on their Asian tour.

****1

Dudamel and LA Phil launch their final season together

Matthew Richard Martinez, 25th September

The world premiere of Ellen Reid's Earth Between Oceans creates a compelling partnership with Strauss' Alpensinfonie.

*****

Gustavo Dudamel opens the New York Philharmonic season

Susan Stempleski, 11th September

Joined by pianist Yunchan Lim, the opening concert of Gustavo Dudamel’s season as the orchestra's Music and Artistic Director Designate features exhilarating performances from the American repertoire.

****1

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James Imam

James Imam is an arts journalist writing for publications including The Financial Times, The Times, Musical America and Opera magazine. He grew up in Manchester, read anthropology at Cambridge and has since lived in Milan. As a once-aspiring countertenor he has an abiding interest in Baroque music.