Anna Handler Conducts Philip Glass
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Anna Handler, Anne Akiko Meyers, Davóne Tines, Olivier Latry
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
Anna Handler leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a Philip Glass program for the Minimalist Icons Festival. Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers returns to Glass’ Violin Concerto No. 1, joined by baritone Davóne Tines and organist Olivier Latry. The concert also includes Mad Rush and Glass’ new Symphony No. 15, “Lincoln,” inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s 1838 Lyceum Address, a rebuke of mob rule and anti-Black violence.
Glass wrote the concerto’s opening three notes, D-A-D, with his father in mind. Violinist.com called it “a wonderful introduction to the composer’s work,” while Gramophone praised the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s 2025 recording with Meyers for its “sweeping dramatic curves and classical dimensions.”
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.