Gustavo Dudamel Transforms L.A. Philharmonic

Gustavo Dudamel made his debut as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with a free concert at the Hollywood Bowl Saturday night. The 28-year-old from Caracas, Venezuela wowed critics, including Variety’s Richard S. Ginell, who wrote: “If the unprecedented level of hype and the equally unheard-of format for Gustavo Dudamel's debut as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is any indication of the future, the music world may never be the same. Yes, the music world—not just the classical ghetto.” Tickets to the concert were sold out within one hour of availability back in August—and scalpers put them on sale for as much as $999. The concert included music from Alfredo Rodriguez, Andrae Crouch, and Stevie Wonder. Flea, the bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers, took the stage along with teen musicians from his Silverlake Conservatory Ensemble. The night closed with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and fireworks.