November 13, 2009
Today’s New York Times features a cover story on Gustavo aptly titled Hollywood Gaga for That Hair, That Baton.
The piece describes the tremendous enthusiasm with which Gustavo has been received in his newly adopted city. Of the attention surrounding him Gustavo says “the main thing is, for me, music education, my family and, I think, I don’t know how is in English — humility? Humility is nothing you can learn. You are born with humility or no.”
Read the full article here or listen to an audio slideshow.
November 3, 2009
Gustavo with YOLA student
It’s been a month since Gustavo started his tenure as Music Director of the LA Phil and what a month it’s been! From the Bravo Gustavo iPhone app on the nation’s to-do list to local tributes celebrating Gustavo’s arrival, it seems like everyone has Dudamania. This just-added video captures the energy of Gustavo’s first few weeks as Music Director of the LA Phil, with performance clips of his historic Inaugural Concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall and behind the scenes footage of his welcome concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
Video includes comments from fans, celebrities and clips of Gustavo’s conducting debut as Music Director.
October 30, 2009
Photo by Andrew Eccles
Gustavo was awarded the 2010 Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT!
The Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT recognizes rising, innovative talents and is granted to “individuals whose artistic trajectory and body of work indicate that they will achieve the highest distinction and become leaders in their fields.” Past recipients include prominent video artists, playwrights, architects, photographers, composers and filmmakers.
Congratulations Gustavo!
October 29, 2009
Check out new video clips from all of the October 3 ¡Bienvenido Gustavo! performances including footage from Gustavo with YOLA and the LA Phil, plus Flea, Herbie Hancock, Andrae Crouch, David Hidalgo and more.
The free community event attracted 18,000 people and thousands more from around the world that watched the live webcast online. Gustavo summarized the spirit of the evening this way: “It’s very important to have our complete continent together. No south, no north, no central- one America!”
October 21, 2009
Gustavo’s historic Inaugural Concert premieres tonight on PBS!
Tune in to PBS’ Great Performances tonight at 8pm EST for a broadcast of the LA Phil’s 2009/10 opening night concert featuring Gustavo leading the LA Phil in the premiere of John Adams’ City Noir and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. Adams wrote City Noir specifically for the Inaugural Concert.
The broadcast will also feature behind-the-scenes footage of the weeks leading up to October 8, Gustavo’s first concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall as Music Director of the LA Phil.
October 20, 2009
iTunes Cover
Relive the excitement of the Inaugural Concert!
A live recording of Gustavo leading the LA Philharmonic in Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 at his historic Inaugural Concert is available on iTunes today! Don’t forget to tune in tomorrow to PBS’ Great Performances at 8PM EST for a broadcast of the concert.
October 16, 2009
Gustavo’s last iTunes release with the LA Phil is the scintillating, deeply dramatic account of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall March 2008. His first recording with the LA Phil is Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra masterpiece.
The LA Phil and Classical Archives are pleased to offer you a FREE stream of these performances, in celebration of Gustavo’s start as Music Director of the LA Phil! Besides a stream of each performance in its entirety, we’re pleased to offer a separate audio track of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steven Stucky’s Upbeat Live pre-concert talk on Berlioz’ symphonic narrative. You can also read the liner notes from the original CD release.
Stay tuned for more Gustavo and the LA Phil recording news next week!
October 13, 2009
Photo by Christina House for LA Times
The LA Times created an excellent photo essay on last Thursday’s Inaugural Gala concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. We are still buzzing with excitement!
Hear a broadcast of the concert, featuring Gustavo leading the LA Phil in the premiere of John Adams’ City Noir and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, on PBS’ Great Performances next Wednesday October 21 at 8pm EST.
October 7, 2009
YOLA’s Expo Youth Orchestra made its Hollywood Bowl debut last Saturday at the ¡Bienvenido Gustavo! concert. Gustavo serves as guest conductor for The Expo Youth Orchestra, YOLA’s first beginning-level ensemble made up of approximately 200 students from more than 60 public, charter and private schools in South Los Angeles. YOLA’s goal is to provide an exceptional instrumental and orchestral education to underserved students in L.A. County.
The story of YOLA comes to life in just-added video featuring members of The Expo Youth Orchestra and LA Phil staff. The video was screened before Gustavo led The Expo Youth Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy before a Hollywood Bowl crowd of 18,000.
Members of The Expo Youth Orchestra picked up an instrument for the first time only two years ago!
October 5, 2009
Photo by Luis Sinco for LA Times
“Dude’s on fire!” That’s what Jack Black told a crowd of 18,000 at Saturday’s ¡Bienvenido Gustavo! concert. The OC Register said “the kid’s got talent, no question” and the LA Times called Saturday “five hours of harmony- in the music and in the Bowl crowd.” The New York Times and Reuters had similar reactions.
We were thrilled with the warm welcome for Gustavo by Angelenos. Thank you to everyone for coming out! What are your thoughts on Saturday’s concert?