¡Bienvenido Gustavo!, a Target® Free Community Concert at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, marked a historical and celebratory milestone in the history of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The event was an unprecedented free concert that celebrated the arrival of Gustavo Dudamel to the city of Los Angeles, kicking off his tenure as the 11th Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and also paid tribute to the unifying power of music and the inspiring talent of Los Angeles' musical youth.
The event showcased artists from varied genres and generations, featuring local youth ensembles paired with rising stars and established names who have served as role models for the next generation of musicians in their communities.
Before entering the venue, guests were treated to the sounds of salsa and mariachi. Salsa band leader Johnny Polanco kept the main box office plaza jumpin', and at the Hollywood Bowl's West Gate entrance, Mariachi Ellas added festive flavor to one of the most anticipated concerts of the year.
In a truly diverse first half, host Quincy Jones introduced his latest discovery, up and coming Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, who performed "Crossing the Border," the first song he wrote upon arriving in the United States. Famed gospel artist Andraé Crouch, who was introduced by Ozomatli members Wil-Dog Abers, Ulises Bella and Raul Pacheco, performed with the 45-person New Christ Memorial Church Gospel Choir, in a set that included "Right Now," "Living This Kind Of Life," "Jesus Is the Answer," and "Let the Church Say Amen." Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea was joined by Keith Barry and the Silverlake Conservatory Ensemble, hailing from the neighborhood school Flea founded to fill a void in music education. They performed "Higher Ground," "Visions," and "I Wish." After an introduction by School of Rock's Jack Black, the Los Angeles Philharmonic's newly appointed Creative Chair for Jazz Herbie Hancock joined the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Band, for a performance that included "One Finger Snap" and "Maiden Voyage." Andy Garcia, an avid advocate of Afro-Cuban music, introduced David Hidalgo of East L.A.'s famed Los Lobos and legendary blues pioneer Taj Mahal, who performed with Los Cenzontles, a group dedicated to the performance and education of Mexican roots music. Their set included "Hermosisimo Lucero," and "La Luna," performed by Los Cenzontles only, and "Suenos," "Cascabel," "Good Morning Aztlan," and "Best of Me," performed with Taj Mahal and Hidalgo.
During intermission, a heartwarming video welcoming Gustavo was shown on the Hollywood Bowl's large screens. Shortly thereafter, the second half of the program began with a performance by the YOLA Expo Center Youth Orchestra, led by Dudamel in his first public appearance with the ensemble, in an arrangement of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." The YOLA Expo Center Youth Orchestra, the first project of LA Phil's youth education movement, Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA), made its Hollywood Bowl debut at this special event. YOLA is the LA Phil's initiative to build, with community partners, youth orchestras in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles. YOLA is inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education system that nurtured Gustavo Dudamel. The YOLA EXPO Center Youth Orchestra began in the fall of 2007, and currently serves over 200 students, ages 7 - 16, each of whom receive free instruments and lessons, and who are committed to playing together as an orchestra.
¡Bienvenido Gustavo! concluded with the much-anticipated performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by Dudamel, and featuring a massive 200-person community choir that included members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale joined by chorus members from local ensembles across Los Angeles, both professional and amateur. The four young and talented featured soloists were Measha Brueggergosman, soprano; Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano; Toby Spence, tenor; and Matthew Rose, bass.
The evening came to a brilliant end with an encore of spectacular fireworks.
Renowned film composer John Williams chaired the all-star Artistic Advisory Panel - which also included the inimitable Quincy Jones, Brazilian legend Sergio Mendes, and L.A. native Ben Harper - for this special event. The panel was created to seek out L.A.'s professional and amateur musical groups of diverse genres to perform during this free ¡Bienvenido Gustavo! musical event.
SCHEDULE
All times are approximate.
Gates opened at 2 p.m.
2 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Main Box Office Plaza)
Johnny Polanco
3pm - 4pm (West Gate)
Mariachi Ellas
4 p.m. - 6:10 p.m. (Each artist performed approximately a 20-minute set.)
Cuban Pianist Alfredo Rodríguez
Andraé Crouch with an all-ages gospel choir
Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) with the Silverlake Conservatory Ensemble
Herbie Hancock with the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Band
David Hidalgo and Taj Mahal with Los Cenzontles
Intermission 6:10 p.m. - 7 p.m.
7:05 p.m. - 7:10 p.m.
YOLA EXPO Center Youth Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
Beethoven's Ode to Joy
7:20 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, soprano
Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano
Toby Spence, tenor
Matthew Rose, bass
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Grant Gershon, Music Director
Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers
Albert McNeil, Director and Founder
Harmonies Girl Choir
Antonio Espinal, Artistic Director
Los Angeles Chamber Choir
Chung Uk Lee, Music Director
Los AngeLes Children's Chorus
Anne Tomlinson, Artistic Director
Our Lady of Los Angeles Spanish Choir
Antonio Espinal, Founding Music Director
Pasadena Master Chorale
Jeffrey Bernstein, Music Director
Philippine Chamber Singers
Gelo Francisco, Choir Director
Southeast Symphony Chorus
Charles Dickerson, Music Director and Conductor
Choruses prepared by Grant Gershon
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Gustavo Dudamel, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable locations anywhere to experience music - Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association's involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational concerts, children's programming and community concerts, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.
Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) serves guests at 1,699 stores in 48 states nationwide and at Target.com. Target is committed to providing a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to unique and highly differentiated products at affordable prices. Since 1946, the corporation has given 5 percent of its income through community grants and programs like Take Charge of Education. Today, that giving equals more than $3 million a week.
