Daniel Harding Leads Bernstein & Brahms
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Daniel Harding, Leif Ove Andsnes, Avery Amereau
Walt Disney Concert HallSouth Hope Street, Los Angeles 90012
Daniel Harding conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in his first Walt Disney Concert Hall program of 2026, pairing Bernstein’s Symphony No. 1, “Jeremiah,” with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2. Mezzo-soprano Avery Amereau joins the orchestra for the final “Lamentation” of Bernstein’s three-part symphony, a work shaped by the Biblical prophet and the composer’s stated “crisis of faith” in a tumultuous modern world. Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes takes the solo role in Brahms’ expansive Second Concerto, whose four movements put piano and orchestra in close dialogue. This is a shorter Casual Fridays program, followed by an on-stage conversation with Harding and LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy, plus a complimentary beer or hard cider tasting with orchestra members in BP Hall.
Harding is the LA Phil’s incoming Music Director, and Bachtrack has praised his “high-definition reading” and attention to “contrast, detail, and thrills.” For this collaboration, he meets Andsnes, an acclaimed Norwegian pianist who describes Brahms’ concerto as “glorious and happy music.” The piece is technically formidable and symphonic in scale, but its character rests in precisely made elegance rather than overt display. Chicago Classical Review has written that Andsnes’ playing in it “[blends] intimacy and bravura,” an approach well suited to Brahms’ balance of solo piano and full orchestra.
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.