Daniel Harding Leads Strauss
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Daniel Harding, Andrew Bain
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
Daniel Harding conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in an orchestral program built around Richard Strauss’ large-scale storytelling. Principal horn Andrew Bain steps forward for Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 2, a work that moves from Mozartian elegance to hunting-fanfare writing and tests the instrument across its range. The concert opens with Thomas Adès’ The Exterminating Angel Symphony, his distillation of the 2016 opera: music described here as strange, dark and amusing, with abrupt tempo shifts between glee and unease. After intermission, Harding leads Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra, whose famous opening trumpet call and timpani strokes give way to the full 34-minute work.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is joined by British conductor Harding, who is set to become the orchestra’s Music Director in the 2027/28 season. His work ranges from award-winning recordings of baroque music to numerous premieres, and The Guardian called his reading of Also sprach Zarathustra “sensuous yet never cloying.” Bain, the orchestra’s Principal horn, was born and raised in Adelaide, Australia. The LA Phil describes him as a well-regarded soloist and a regular on its Chamber Music series; the orchestra’s general manager has called his sound “just breathtaking.”
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.