Dudamel's Disney Hall send-off became more than a mere party
Key takeaways
- When Gustavo Dudamel instructs the Los Angeles Philharmonic to stand at a curtain call, the players stand.
- With an encouraging smile, Dudamel took the concertmaster’s arm, gently lifting him to his feet, but he sat back down when no one in the orchestra followed.
- This was Dudamel’s moment, his last concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall as L.A.
Gustavo Dudamel conducts John Adams’ “Harmonium” in his final concert in Disney Hall as L.A. Phil music director on Sunday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) By Mark Swed Classical Music Critic Follow June 9, 2026 3:30 PM PT 8 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
When Gustavo Dudamel instructs the Los Angeles Philharmonic to stand at a curtain call, the players stand. He motions, sit; they sit.
Sunday afternoon, they wouldn’t stand. Again and again, they stubbornly refused. With an encouraging smile, Dudamel took the concertmaster’s arm, gently lifting him to his feet, but he sat back down when no one in the orchestra followed. Dudamel never looks nonplussed. He looked dumbfounded.