Ravel, Falla & Ortiz
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Gimeno, Pacho Flores
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
The Los Angeles Philharmonic plays under conductor Gustavo Gimeno, with Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores as soloist, in a program of Spanish, Mexican and French-inflected orchestral music. The concert opens with selections from Falla’s El amor brujo, then brings Flores forward for Gabriela Ortiz’s Altar de Bronce, the metallic-themed concerto written for him. After intermission, the orchestra turns to Ravel’s Rapsodie espagnole and Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé, pairing its dream-like melodies with a triumphant final buildup.
Flores returns to the LA Phil for Ortiz’s concerto, a work the venue calls “tailor-made” for him. Its score makes room for tension, drama and improvisation, while Bachtrack heard “the infectious dance rhythms of popular Mexican bands” coming forward, with Flores “swaying along with the music.” Gimeno approaches Ravel through his Hispanic heritage and affinity for the French composer. Bachtrack has called his conducting a “healthy dose of Iberian blood, sweat, and sexiness,” describing him as “the perfect guide through the hypnotic haze.”
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.