Program
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- Intermission
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- Inferno – Part 1 of Dante
- LA Phil commission
- with generous support from the Lenore S. and Bernard A. Greenberg Fund
Sponsored By
Sponsored By
About this Performance
Noted for its blissful introduction, birdsong via woodwinds, and rumbling thunder of cellos, Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony embodies the calming charm of the countryside. In a letter to one of his beloved pupils, he wrote, “How happy I am to be able to wander among the bushes and grass, under trees and over rocks, no man can love the country as I love it.”
Gustavo Dudamel captures the serenity of the symphony before steering the orchestra into the treacherous depths of Thomas Adès’ Inferno—the fiery first part of the work that won the LA Phil a Grammy for Best Orchestral Performance. Within minutes of hearing the music, “You can feel the lightning bolt of [Adès’] virtuosity, the sense of pure enjoyment as he uses every orchestral resource to create a battery of exhilarating sound from a 75-strong orchestra” (The Guardian).
A note from Gustavo Dudamel
Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony offers a vision of nature that is deeply human. Rather than describing landscapes, Beethoven captures states of calm, gratitude, joy, and renewal. The countryside he evokes is a place of balance, where even the tension of the thunderstorm passes, giving way to clarity and light.
From this sense of repose, the program moves into very different territory with Thomas Adès’ Inferno from Dante. Adès brings Dante’s world to life with striking imagination and intensity, guided not by Virgil but by the presence of Franz Liszt. The descent through the underworld is vivid and uncompromising, demanding extraordinary focus and commitment from the orchestra.
Together, these works reflect the breadth of what orchestral music can express, from reflection and stillness to drama at its most extreme. Placed side by side, they invite us to experience how music from different times and perspectives continues to speak in the present. —Gustavo Dudamel
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Enhance Your Experience
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Upbeat Live with Zach Neufeld
Event starts at 1:00PM
Before the concert, some of the sharpest musical minds around–including guest artists–guide you through the evening’s music. This free event is held in BP Hall accessible after your ticket is scanned.
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Dudamel & Beethoven tees, totes, and more
Don't miss new limited-edition Dudamel & Beethoven merch! Only available at the LA Phil Store.