Gustavo Dudamel presents its last season in Los Angeles Philharmonic: “Art is a catarsive space at a time of difficulty” Entertainment in the United States
Among the many awards received by Gustavo Dudamel (Barquisimeto, 44 years), there is one in its office, located in the Walt Disney concert hall, a large concert hall in the heart of Los Angeles (California). He looks among the shelves, carefully opens the Blue Velvet housing and shows it; Above all, your engraving. It is a medal, which in 2016 granted him an inter -American development bank that has a phrase Miguel de Unamuno: “The freedom that the people gives is culture.” Trees gift, but especially the line that leads to the gala. For 17 years he gave people in Los Angeles and a American and a global, unique music cult, a mixture of styles, risky, highest and most for people. And now it’s time to say goodbye. Or, at least we’ll see you later.
In the summer of 2026, the pudamel will say goodbye to the palm trees to greet asphalt: Leave California to New York. The signature was announced two years ago, in February 2023, with the aim of giving time a measured farewell and unsuccessful transition that is already here. This Thursday Venezueles opened the door and, as he says, “the climax of a chapter that is not a book” and introduced the calendar next 2025/2026 of the Los Angeles Philharmonic season (popularly known as Phil). September this year in mid -June June, the artistic and music director of the challenge and news agenda filled. After all, that’s what he likes.
“We can’t live without any problems. Life would be very boring,” he laughs in an exclusive conversation with a country in which he acknowledges that he feels happy and above all “calm” in peace. Personally, work. The interview takes place minutes after the introduction of this intensive calendar before the press and La Phil partners with Kim Noltemy, president and executive director Philharmonic, who thanked the director “his vision and his passion”. Program, baptized Thanks GustavoEvery month has great events. The director emphasizes some of the pride, such as his cooperation with the non -cagenial architect Frank Gehry (creator of the concert hall of Walt Disney), a good friend who kindly calls Pancho and considers “brother, father”. In the trio with his usual will be his collaborator, Venezuelan director Alberto Arvelo, to introduce three deeds Valquiria Wagner in three different days. Instead of an opera scenario, they will do it directly in La Phil. “It will be very strange,” he says knowing that Gehry will know how to play with the space he suggested and that he was a sign of the city for 22 years.
Dudamel is also happy for cooperation, which is cooked with Mexican film director Alejandro G. Iñárit. One day he led him to see the wall on the edge of Los Angeles with a huge graffiti in the city’s history and decided to do something about it; They still touch this episode for the last time, called A big wall from Los Angeleswho will arrive in March 2026. It is also special enthusiasm to celebrate the musicians of the Philharmonic at the concert, already in June 2026, where some of the main specialists in the orchestra will play alone.
Dudamel will lead in October before the course on the east coast Spring ceremonyFrom Stravinsky, as well as Mahler’s second symphony. In February, he will focus on Beethoven with Soprano Elena Villalón, but also with the composer’s ceremonial mass; For Diamantine revolution The Brazilian dance company Grupo Corpo and Los Angeles Coral will present from Mexico composer Gabriel Ortiz. Among some guests who will host popular names such as the Argentine band SKA The Fabulous Cadillacs for singers like American Patti Smith (for the 50th anniversary of the famous album Horses) or Colombian Lido pepper. But also, of course, great from today’s classic: 22-year-old Granada violinist María Dueñas, also Korean violinist Clara Jumi-Kang, 21-year-old piano genius, also South Korean, Yunchan Lim, cellist Yo-Yo Ma or famous French pianist Katia and Marielle Labèque.
These are the moments of reflection for Dudamel. Since he arrived in the city in 2009, it has not changed much and nothing has changed. Yes, it’s not the same as the photo, laughs, hair is more canoes. “It was a natural way. We created our own style, our mission. Because it’s not something individual: it was a teamwork, administration, art team and orchestra, of course, that’s on stage,” he says. One of her great success and is proud of it is the creation of Yola, the youth orchestra in Los Angeles and the installation of its headquarters south of the city, also proposed Gehry.
Dudamel, known for his mixtures, for risking, says he did not want to reduce the revolution this last season. “There is always a question of rediscovery, finding a way to overcome, take steps forward, climb on this artistic journey,” he says before this newspaper, very aware of his work. “Of course there is ambition, good, healthy ambitions. And it is important because it opens the door, not only for the Los Angeles philharmonic orchestra, opens the door for classical music around the world because people look here and see how things are, how we connect and create bridges.
At a time when the world and the country in which they live (and live), they go through a dark scene, reduce freedom, do you think art, music and this type of collective artistic experiences are more important than ever? “But absolutely,” he replies without hesitation. “And they have always been there, always. I believe that art was a catharsis space for difficulty. It is obvious that the world is in a very difficult situation right now and we need space where we feel accepted: for hope, for hope, for meditation, for contemplation,” he says, “Unamuno medals and remember this phrase.” “This is a real identity, there can be no freedom without identity and, for an individual, it is collective, 100%,” he says, explaining that he believes together in what “paradox” assumes: “I think we can find ourselves through our differences and accept and understand them, but to make space to do so.”
It has been creating this space for 17 years and intends to leave the last grade. Or maybe it’s the penultimate. “It’s not over,” insisted on gathering dozens of media to find out how good it would be. “Just the end of the chapter.” He returns, confesses. As a guest, the Walt Disney concert hall, Hollywood Bowl, the unique outdoor space he loves. He returns, but must leave earlier. And it will be calm, in peace.
