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| Yes | 63% | 29 votes | Total: 46 votes | |
| No | 37% | 17 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesIt's surprising to me, that a world famous orchestra like the LA Phil has never had a "native born angelino " conductor. To add "insult to injury," it has only had one American-born conductor in its close to 90 year history (Chicago born).
Here is a list of all the conductors they've had, and their tenure: Walter Henry Rothwell 1919-1927 (English), Georg Schneevoigt 1927-1929 (Finnish), Artur Rodzinski 1929-1933 (Polish), Otto Klemperer 1933-1939 (German), Alfred Wallenstein 1943-1956 (Only American born, but Chicago), Eduard van Beinum 1956-1959 (Dutch), Zubin Mehta 1962-1978 (Indian), Carlo Maria Giulini 1978-1984 (Italian), Andre Previn 1985-1989 (German), Esa Pekka Salonen 1992-Present (Finnish), last but not least is the one that's going to replace him: Gustavo Dudamel (Venezuelan).
As if this wasn't bad enough: the City of Los Angeles donated 110 million dollars to build the garage of the famous "Walt Disney music Hall" (The current home of the LA Phil). If you look at the history of the New York Phil, another world great orchestra. Its had few American-born conductors as well. The only difference being: Leonard Bernstein is one of the most famous musical names of the 20th century. No other classical musician comes close to him in either fame, or reputation. On the other hand: few have heard of Alfred Wallenstein (the only American conductor the LA Phil has ever had) and today, he's all but forgotten....
If you go to UCLA, USC, or any other respectful university in California: you'll find many people with PHDs in music. Are you telling me: in almost 90 years; the Los Angeles Phil couldn't find anyone who was born in California? This is "too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence!" My gripe isn't nationality or ethnic related! I don't have a problem with Dudamel being from Venezuela, anymore than I have a problem with Klemperer being a German Jew; or with Beinum being Dutch, etc....
I'm proud to be an "angelino." I love the orchestra, but its history is very puzzling to me. If not a native Californian; I would love to see them hire another American as their principal conductor during my lifetime. Believe it or not: an American-born conductor would only be the 'second such person' in the orchestra's 90 year history. Dudamel is very talented, and he'll be great as the lastest addition to the family, but really...there's a lot of talent out there, much in Los Angeles (believe it or not), and its time for this great orchestra to find a native born to carry on their tradition of greatness, and furthermore: to show the world, something good can come out of Los Angeles....
Learn more about this author, John Sarkis.
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No
The argument of whether or not the Los Angeles Philharmonic should hire a local Angelino conductor is as inane as arguing whether or not the New York Yankees should only sign native New York ballplayers. Sure, everyone would like to see a "local boy" at the helm, whether it be an orchestra, a theatrical production, or a sports team, but most of the time the idea is neither practical or possible.
Historicall y, very few accomplished conductors have led orchestras in their native cities. Robert Shaw, for example, a 14-time Grammy winner, helmed both the Cleveland Orchestra as well as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, despite being born and raised in California. Leon Fleisher, another native Californian, also conducted the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Michael Christie, a prodigious contemporay conductor, is currently the principal guest conductor of Australia's Queensland Orchestra, as well as the music director of the Phoenix Orchestra.
Esa-Pekka Salonen, a native of Finland and current conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is as accomplished as any contemporary conductor. Winner of prestigious awards such as the Siena Prize and the Royal Philharmonic Society's Opera Award, only a bitter individual would rather see a local Angelino at the helm. Los Angeles residents should be honored, not offended, to have a conductor of Salonen's credentials leading the way.
When Salonen relinquishes his position with the philharmonic in September of 2009, he will be succeeded by Gustavo Dudamel, a native of Venezuela. At 27, Dudamel is considered by many to be one of the next great conductors. Having already conducted Sweden's famed Gothenburg Symphony, Dudamel is the only logical choice to follow in the footsteps of Salonen.
Los Angeles Philharmonic's current assistant conductor, Lionel Bringuier, is a world-renowned talent. Even though he is a native of France, he brings amazing credentials to the orchestra. With internationally-accl aimed conductors such as Salonen and Bringuir, the philharmonic can boast of having some of the best talent the world has to offer, as well as a star-in-the-making with Dudamel.
Perhaps the local music community in Los Angeles should embrace the talent within their ranks and be thankful for the opportunity to experience these fine international orchestra leaders. Even though there are undoubtedly superb Angelino musicians out there, a true fan of classical music cannot possibly argue with the Los Angeles Philharmonic's choice of conductors. After all, music is the universal language, and what better city than Los Angeles to feature the most accomplished conductors in the universe?
Learn more about this author, Marlin Bressi.
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