- S. African communities terrorised by gold mining gangs
- Palestinians mark 'Nakba' anniversary as thousands flee Gaza's Rafah
- 'We will never register': Georgia NGOs vow to defy repressive law
- A-list stars, menstruating superheroes in Cannes VR competition
- France's Godreche says #MeToo allegations should not be theatre
- Brunson and Knicks bounce back to crush Pacers
- Indonesia floods kill 58 as rescuers race to find missing
- Chief of state oil company dismissed in Brazil
- Clark top scores but gives up 10 turnovers in WNBA debut defeat
- Asian markets mixed as focus turns to US inflation report
- Bus accident in Peru leaves at least 16 dead
- OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever announces departure
- Brazil government announces Petrobras chief dismissed
- Five years after 13-0 World Cup mauling, Thai women look to future
- Oleksandr Usyk: looking for heavyweight legacy on the Fury road
- Tyson Fury: the 'Gypsy King' of the ring riddled with contradictions
- Push for new US lithium mine leaves some Americans wary
- 'Sowing peace'? Colombia program for war criminals stokes debate
- US says Boeing can be prosecuted for 737 MAX crashes
- More money pledged for flood-stricken Brazil
- Parts of Canadian city in oil sands region evacuated as wildfire draws near
- New dad Scheffler, divorcing McIlroy add emotion to PGA drama
- Trump defense takes aim at ex-fixer Michael Cohen at trial
- Man City do feel the tension of title race, says Guardiola
- Watches belonging to F1 great Schumacher fetch millions at auction
- Postecoglou 'misread' Spurs' fans desperation to deny Arsenal title
- Nasdaq finishes at record as US stocks shrug off latest inflation data
- No.1 new dad Scheffler enjoying life but strives for more at PGA
- Bellingham, Vinicius shine as champions Madrid smash Alaves
- Man City can 'make history' with fourth consecutive Premier League: Rodri
- Singapore to swear in Lawrence Wong as new prime minister
- Blinken vows US will back Ukraine till security 'guaranteed'
- Ohtani interpreter appears in court over $17 mn fraud
- Haaland double puts Man City on brink of Premier League history
- In major change, Google to use AI-generated answers in search results
- Rahm says he's not slumping despite winless LIV start
- Paris Holocaust memorial hit with red hand graffiti
- Floods unite Brazilians in solidarity despite political rift
- Spieth tries again for career Grand Slam with PGA victory
- Massive manhunt after French prison officers killed, inmate escapes in ambush
- Biden sharply hikes US tariffs on Chinese EVs and chips
- Quarter of Gazans displaced again as fighting rages north to south
- Ex-fixer Cohen grilled by defense at Trump trial
- Alice Munro: short story virtuoso with a touch of 'magic'
- Top-ranked Scheffler paired with major winners at PGA Championship
- Defending champion Medvedev out as Swiatek cruises in Rome Open
- McIlroy files for divorce from wife Erica
- Stubbs gives Delhi IPL play-off hope with win in last league match
- Top French court rejects bid to return Mona Lisa to 'rightful owners'
- Streep honoured at opening of drama-filled Cannes Film Festival
Star Dudamel brings inclusive vision to New York Philharmonic
Star conductor Gustavo Dudamel presented a youth-oriented, pop culturally aware vision of the future to the New York Philharmonic's spring gala Wednesday, previewing his forthcoming takeover of the symphony as its next director.
Dudamel brought the rapper Common, the former Yankee slash guitar hero Bernie Williams, and a number of student musicians to the stage as part of the Phil's celebration of music education.
The gala was a glimpse into the Venezuelan maestro's upcoming tenure at America's oldest orchestra, which he will start leading in the 2026-27 season, departing his post at the Los Angeles Philharmonic after 17 seasons.
"I believe completely that the future of society begins with a young person's education," Dudamel told the house to applause, also calling it an "honor" to be arriving at the Phil.
"I'm so excited for our future together," he said.
Though he is not officially yet leading the Philharmonic, he's been ramping up his involvement at the prestigious institution, participating in shaping its programming.
Bringing the 43-year-old on board was a coup for the Phil, the symphony founded in 1842 that's been striving to modernize its image -- including by pouring $550 million into the renovation of David Geffen Hall, its home in Manhattan's Lincoln Center.
Calling music a "fundamental human right" he emphasized "the momentous role that music can play in the lives of young people," and even brought a number of student musicians in to play alongside the company artists.
He also invited in the conscious hip-hop star Common, who paid homage to the genre's roots in New York before he performed songs including the Oscar-winning track "Glory" from the film "Selma" along with the orchestra.
And none other than Bernie Williams, who played center field for the New York Yankees for 16 seasons and is also an accomplished guitarist, performed a jazz composition to the delight of the crowd.
- No art 'pedestal' -
Like many classical music institutions, the New York Philharmonic for years has been trying to revamp its image that some critics have labeled too elitist and too white.
Dudamel's time in Los Angeles saw him foster ties with Hollywood as he catapulted to celebrity himself, bringing classical music to ears perhaps unfamiliar with or intimidated by the genre.
Born January 26, 1981 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela to a trombonist and a voice teacher, Dudamel's talent was molded by the illustrious Venezuelan musical education program, "El Sistema."
When he moved to Los Angeles, Dudamel continued that youth education mission, creating the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles, known as YOLA, in the model of El Sistema.
"We have to educate people but in the best way, not putting art on a pedestal without access," he told journalists last year at a press conference introducing him as the New York Phil's next music and artistic director.
"When you give an instrument to a child, you are giving to this child beauty -- you're giving the chance to this young boy, young girl, to create their own world," he said.
His program Wednesday offered a confirmation of that outward, forward-looking vision, and a prioritization of young musicians.
It's a bid to create a "future where we all feel safe," he said -- "where we all feel heard."
F.Müller--BTB