LA Shows the Love to 28-Year-Old Maestro

Gustavo Dudamel takes up baton at leading American orchestra

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 1, 2009 9:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Los Angeles Philharmonic greeted its new music director yesterday with waves, cheers, and bursts of brass and strings, and cameras tailed the new boss as he hugged his principal musicians. It wasn't a standard first day, but Gustavo Dudamel of Venezuela isn't a standard maestro—he's only 28 years old, and classical music fans are hoping his youth will bring a new generation into the field. Dudamel says he's unafraid of the pressure: "I'm doing what I love to do. This is part of my natural life."

Dudamel will make his official debut with the philharmonic with a free concert at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend, followed by a gala at the Frank Gehry-designed Disney Hall on Oct. 8. "What's most important is his humility," said a violinist who's been with the LA Phil since 1981—the year Dudamel was born. But the orchestra's president cautioned against too much hype: "He's only been elected music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, not president of the United States."

Gustavo Dudamel conducts the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall in New York. He is now director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. (AP Photo/New York Philharmonic, Chris Lee)

Gustavo Dudamel on his first official day as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic during a media briefing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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California • classical music • Los Angeles • Gustavo Dudamel • Los Angeles Philharmonic • orchestra • conductor

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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Record Exec Wounded in Hollywood Shooting Dies

John Atterberry had worked with Jessica Simpson, Michael Jackson

United Flight's Engine Shuts Down in Mid-Air

Plane makes emergency landing in Colorado

LA Road Collapses in Mudslide

Paseo del mar isn't

LA to State: We Can't Watch All These Cons

California dumps responsibility onto county, city

2 USC Students Shot at Party

Thief opens fire near campus: cops

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