Two stars shared the stage as Los Angeles Philharmonic launched its 2016 summer season with a concert from Lang Lang and Gustavo Dudamel. A packed Hollywood bowl heard the Columbian conductor and Chinese pianist come together to play Russian music on 12 July.
The programme included Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No 1 and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. The Piano Concerto in particular garnered positive reviews, with commentators praising Lang Lang for his improvisational skill and energy, as well as his interplay with Dudamel.
Earlier Lang Lang led an ensemble of 100 children sat at 50 pianos in masterclass at Disney Hall that included both Schubert and Liszt. Dudamel and Lang Lang are both known for their outreach and education work, with each of the young musicians (aged 35 and 34 respectively) running a charitable foundation that supports such efforts.
Highlights of LA Phil’s summer season at Hollywood Bowl include West Side Story (19 July), Yuja Wang (21 July), Puccini’s Tosca (24 July), a concert with conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet (26 July), a Tchaikovsky spectacular (5-6 August), a concert with Ben Harper (19 August) and a concert with LA Dance Project (8 September).
The full line up can be found on the Hollywood Bowl website.
