Gustavo Dudamel, after 17 seasons leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic, concluded his tenure with a four-night celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, before heading to the New York Philharmonic. The musical marathon served as a "Gracias Gustavo" from the city, echoing the "¡Bienvenido Gustavo!" banners that heralded his arrival in 2009.
That first concert saw 18,000 free tickets distributed, filling the Bowl for a day-long event featuring salsa star Johnny Polanco, Flea, Herbie Hancock, and Taj Mahal. The then 28-year-old Dudamel capped the day with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, turning its "Ode to Joy" finale into a jubilant heralding of a new epoch.
Throughout his time in L.A., Dudamel championed the mantras that "we are all one people," that there is "only one music," and that music education is a human right. These beliefs fueled the creation of YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), a free teaching program for young children, initially centered in South-Central L.A. He integrated YOLA into L.A. Phil activities, taking them on tours and even to a Super Bowl halftime. His tenure also expanded the orchestra's repertoire to include pop, folk, film, and world music, raising the L.A. Phil's profile significantly.
The farewell series kicked off Thursday with another performance of Beethoven’s Ninth, featuring members of YOLA alongside the L.A. Phil. The program also highlighted youth with the premiere of Michael Giacchino’s “Hymns of the Heart,” performed by the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and children from Education Through Music-Los Angeles. Poet Amanda Gorman also appeared, adding what the source described as "unnecessary glamour."
Friday's "Gustavo’s Fiesta" celebrated Latin music with an array of artists including the Mexican trio Los Panchos, Colombian cumbia group La Sonora Dinamita, singer Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles, Lila Downs, and Los Tigres del Norte. Dudamel and the orchestra joined after intermission, energizing Los Tigres.
Saturday night drew 18,000 for the Hollywood Bowl debut of Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl of the band was effusive in his praise of Dudamel, saying this is what he wanted to do every night forever. The 90-minute set, accompanied by Dudamel and his orchestra, was notably loud, with a decibel meter registering an average of 105, described as "jackhammer level." Amidst the noise, Venezuelan folk musicians, including maracas soloist Ernesto Laya, joined the L.A. Phil and YOLA members for Aldemaro Romero’s “Fuga con Pajarillo,” with Laya’s rhythmic movements captivating the cheering crowd even when his soft solo was barely audible.
The marathon concluded Sunday with a benefit concert for Venezuela earthquake relief. Surprise guest Chris Martin of Coldplay, Beck, Lasso, Nella, Meme de Real, Carlos Vives, and Natalia Lafourcade performed. Dudamel opened with a Latinized Strauss’ “Tritsch-Tratsch Polka” and repeated Romero’s “Fuga.” He addressed the audience, saying that L.A. made him an "Angeleno."
While Dudamel moves to the New York Philharmonic, he is expected to return to L.A. in less than four months in a laureate role, conducting the L.A. Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and insists he will remain a summer fixture at the Bowl.
