by John Sarkis

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 14, 2008

It'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....

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