Los Angeles Philharmonic: Beethoven 7 & Oritz music review – Rich, dynamic precision
The LA Philharmonic begin their Usher Hall residency with soaring energy in a vibrant and masterful performance
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Continuing the International Festival’s theme of all things American, the Los Angeles Philharmonic opened its Usher Hall residency with a programme of Beethoven and Gabriela Ortiz, conducted by the inestimable Gustavo Dudamel. Opening with a warm, buzzing tone, the orchestra maintained a perfect balance of passion and precision. The rhythmic and dynamic contrasts of the second ‘Allegretto’ movement gave the music a real bite, while the third movement (marked ‘Presto’) was bubbly, spritely and light.
The second half comprised Gabriela Ortiz’s ‘Revolución Diamantina’ (Glitter Revolution), which takes its name from a 2019 protest in Mexico City where activists threw pink glitter at authorities to protest against femicide, and violence against women and girls. Despite this being its Scottish premiere, there was a surprising lack of information in the festival’s freesheet. One thing the brief note does mention is that ‘Ortiz places marginalised voices at the centre of the concert hall’. This could have been taken a bit more literally as it was incredibly difficult to ascertain where the women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale actually were. Nevertheless, this fabulous music was wonderfully executed, and we can only hope this was the first of many performances of it on these shores.
Los Angeles Philharmonic: Beethoven 7 & Oritz, reviewed at Usher Hall; picture: Andrew Perry.