Beethoven, Dudamel, and LA Phil at Disney on Thursday

It was a great night at the Disney Hall attending my first concert of the new season.  Gustavo Dudamel conducted the LA Phil in two works by Beethoven.  The first was the Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major. Op.15.  Norwegian, Leif Ove Andsnes, was the pianist and together with the orchestra they made beautiful music.  The 42 year old Andsnes has been described by The New York Times as "a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight."  He so delighted the audience that he was called on to play an encore.

The second piece was Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op.55, "Eroica".  This was written in 1802 originally in admiration of Napoleon as "the savior of Europe."  Beethoven became disenchanted when Napoleon declared himself emperor so he changed the name to the "Eroica."

Dudamel was at his best leading the LA Phil without sheet music.  He jumped, lunged, and directed all the sections of the orchestra with feeling and exuberance.  The audience gave him and the Phil a standing ovation with shouts of "Bravo."  It was great to be back to the Disney, with Dudamel and this great orchestra.