Dudamel Conducts the Fifth Symphony and Piano Concerto No. 4
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, Rudolf Buchbinder
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, pairs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 with Symphony No. 5. Rudolf Buchbinder takes the solo part in the Fourth Concerto, bringing a long-running musical partnership with Dudamel to a program of two works premiered together in 1808. After intermission comes the Fifth, built around its unmistakable four-note motif and its passage from darkness toward triumph.
Based in Los Angeles, the LA Phil performs repertoire spanning “Bach to Beck.” Buchbinder is a longtime artistic partner of Dudamel and, in The Guardian’s words, a Beethoven pianist of “big-boned, full-throttle” character.
Designed by Frank Gehry, this concert hall is a striking architectural landmark with sweeping stainless steel curves that catch the light outside, while inside, its acoustics are meticulously crafted to deliver rich, clear sound to every seat. The auditorium seats over two thousand people in a space where the audience is fully immersed in the music, surrounded by warm wood paneling and a stage that brings performers close to listeners. The venue hosts ticketed performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and other ensembles, offering an evening focused on attentive listening rather than casual socializing. Nearby bars and restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles provide options for pre- or post-show dining, but inside, the experience centers on the music in a refined, elegant setting.