Program
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- Intermission
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- Good News Mass
- world premiere
- LA Phil commission
About this Performance
Gustavo Dudamel leads the world premiere of Carlos Simon’s groundbreaking Good News Mass, a celebratory homage to Black joy, spiritual discovery, and the power of faith. Navigating themes of loss, gratitude, hope, and resilience, Simon takes inspiration from his gospel-steeped background, African American composers such as Mary Lou Williams and Florence Price who put their own mark upon this traditional form, and the Catholic Requiem Mass to create something distinctly his own.
Accompanied by an experience-enhancing visual narrative from Melina Matsoukas, renowned for her award-winning music video work with icons like Beyoncé and Rihanna, the performance features gospel stars Samoht and Zebulon Ellis. Spoken word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph—best known from for his TED Talk, “You Have the Rite,” which has been viewed over five million times—pairs his poetry with a powerful libretto by Courtney Ware.
The night opens with Leonard Bernstein’s Divertimento, a “love letter” for the city of his youth and Boston’s symphony orchestra, before Randall Goosby brings his “lush, warm tone and exceptional technique” (NPR) to Price’s Second Violin Concerto.
This performance is generously supported in part by the Kohl Virtuoso Violin Fund.
See other concerts in this seriesPrograms, artists, dates, prices, and availability subject to change. Ticket limits may apply. All sales are final.
Enhance Your Experience
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Drinks in the Garden
Event starts at 6:30PM
Enjoy a drink on us and soak up the lush and leafy ambiance of Walt Disney Concert Hall's rooftop garden.
Subject to cancellation due to weather conditions. -
Praise Break: Divine Disco, Soul and House
Event starts at 10:00AM
Join us on April 13 for Praise Break at Lodge Room in Highland Park celebrating Simon's Good News Mass with a music and dance program blending gospel, soul, disco, and house. $10 tickets for the main room plus an invitation to brunch beforehand.
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Autographs with Randall Goosby
Stick around after the concert to meet the star performer outside the LA Phil Store, where he will be signing CDs—including the 2023 release Violin Concertos—now available for online and in-store purchase!