Look Ma, No Score!

It’s hard to believe that just over a month ago, Gustavo Dudamel took the stage for the first time as the LA Philharmonic’s new Music Director.  Since that day, there have been a plethora of articles written about what he’s doing and how he’s doing it.  We’d officially like to add to the media mix that seeing him conduct live only serves to deepen our crushes on him.

We were lucky enough to catch him conduct Verdi’s Requiem last weekend and were astounded to find that the rumors that he conducts without a score were, indeed, true!

Let’s get one thing straight: Verdi’s Requiem is a ninety minute piece of music with a full orchestra, four solo vocalists, and an entire choir all laboring beneath his baton.  Another thing, these singers have likely known this piece for years as it’s performed in music schools with great frequency and even they had sheet music to guide them.  But Gustavo mouthed each word, in Latin, to the Los Angeles Master Chorale while conducting with his signature fervor, every note in Verdi’s powerful work.  It was at once an intimate setting in which we all felt at home and a private conversation that we were somehow privy to.  It was all encompassing.

Soprano Leah Crocetto was undoubtedly the standout soloist with a control over both her breath and voice that allowed her convey such intense, beautiful emotions.  Ekaterina Gubanova, David Lomeli, and John Relyea rounded out the vocalists, each of whom were absolutely impressive.  One most encouraging note was how many people were at the symphony for the first time.  Admittedly eavesdropping on nearby conversations before and after the concert, there were a number of audience members there to see what all the fuss was about – they were not disappointed.

After four standing ovations, there was a buzzing atmosphere and it was all we could do to not scream “again, again!” like little children.  Needless to say, we wish we had tickets to every show he’s conducting this season.  If you saw Verdi’s Requiem, we’d love to know if you, like us, thought it was better than sex (er, ice cream).  If not, we wanted to recommend that you quickly add an upcoming performance to your calendar – they’re selling out!  He’s conducting Upshaw this weekend, Shaham next weekend and then Salonen and Adams as part of the West Coast, Left Coast series to finish out the month.

To see the LA Phil’s full calendar, please click here.