Gustavo Dudamel celebrated with a “party” his legacy after 17 years as music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), one of the most prestigious orchestras in the U.S. and from which he bids farewell this season.
Falla’s ‘El sombrero de tres picos’ kicked off ‘Gustavo’s fiesta’, a specially chosen program, which featured a selection from Antonín Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony, with musicians from YOLA (Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles) and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.
Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrates legacy of Gustavo Dudamel
#NOTICE Gustavo Dudamel celebrated his 17-year legacy at the helm of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with an emotional musical “party,” part of the “Thank You Gustavo” tribute, marking his farewell to the prestigious orchestra before taking over as conductor of the New York Philharmonic… pic.twitter.com/vu9C7TZBO8
– Luis Olavarrieta (@LuisOlavarrieta) October 15, 2025
The program on Tuesday, October 14 was part of the celebration christened ‘Gracias Gustavo’, which began last month and will be joined by the New York Philharmonic, the orchestra that will be the Venezuelan maestro’s new home from the 2027 season.
The 2026 season of the LA Philharmonic features 14 programs that mark the musical journey of the Venezuelan in the orchestra, contemplating part of the repertoire of the LA Phil, but also includes new challenges such as Beethoven’s choral composition ‘Missa Solemnis’, together with soprano Pretty Yende or mezzo-soprano Sarah Saturnino, as well as the Cor de Cambra del Palau de la Música Catalana de Barcelona.
In a city that reveres him as a Hollywood star, Gustavo Dudamel received a standing ovation at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The Venezuelan maestro has said that the celebration should not be a thank you to him but to La Phil, which has welcomed him since he arrived in Los Angeles and took over its management in 2009.
The teacher leaves in his “home” as he calls Los Angeles, a great son as he considers YOLA, an initiative inspired by the Venezuelan educational program “El Sistema”, which this Tuesday was part of the celebration program in his honor.
With information of EFE
