The Rite of Spring with Salonen
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Hilary Hahn
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
The Los Angeles Philharmonic performs under conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen in a Rituals festival program built around Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Violinist Hilary Hahn joins the orchestra for Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1, with Steve Reich’s Runner opening the evening. Stravinsky’s score brings its pagan-sacrifice vision to life through ferocious harmonies and pounding rhythms.
Founded in 1919, the LA Phil is a Los Angeles-based symphony orchestra whose programming pairs “foundational works and adventurous explorations.” Salonen is the orchestra’s former music director and conductor laureate; Hahn is a three-time Grammy winner, praised by Bachtrack for her “astounding technical and musical talents.”
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.