The Los Angeles Philharmonic
While many people, okay probably most people, associate the city of Los Angeles the entertainment industry, particularly the film industry in Hollywood, there are actually a great number of other major cultural elements that are part of the city’s renown establishments. The Los Angeles Philharmonic is one of these and it has been frequently described by critics as one of, if not the, most progressive and contemporary minded orchestras in the country. It is well loved and supported by the community and tourists are frequently interested in attending one of its concerts while they are in town. Information on this and other major companies is usually available at the front desk or hotel lobby in many of the area resorts.
The orchestra performs its winter season at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and throughout the summer they perform at the Hollywood Bowl. The company’s Conductor Laureate, Esa-Pekka Salonen supports the progressive comments about the orchestra with philosophy that is oriented toward creating the future and not reproducing the past, which is common to many classical music organizations. Gustavo Dudamel, the company’s Music Director, supports this perspective.
The orchestra was originally founded and entirely financed by William Andrews Clark, Jr. He was an avid arts enthusiast, a part time violinist and also a copper baron who in 1919 financed the beginning of this orchestra. His original choice for the orchestra’s first Music director was Sergei Rachmaninoff , who declined the offer only because he had just moved to New York and did not want to move right away again. This tradition of high standards and expectations of excellence remains strong with the philharmonic and they have made recordings of many of their performances and have featured some top guest artists throughout the years. Whether you plan to be in Los Angeles in the summer, winter or any season in-between there should be a concert by this company available to attend.
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