Thread: Gustavo Dudamel

What do you think about this elephant.

I've watched short documentary about him yesterday evening and though he has some views on music that I tend to dislike I generally liked him, seems like very positive dude devoted to music.

It's good to see that someone under 30 managed to become chief in important orchestra with big name like in good old times when you could be professor at age 26 (Tchaikovsky) and stuff.

But the conducting. What do you think about his recordings? I've heard his Mahler 1 in parts and I will try to get whole thing. Also, should his recordings with various youth orchestras be taken seriously?

I think Dudamel has good potential. I find that what I've heard often "caricatures" the music in a similar way as late Bernstein occasionally. Yes, he has tons of energy and charisma, but I don't care for the way he uses it. I saw a TV broadcast of him conducting the VPO, with Dvorak 9 and some Ravel and some Bernstein. The Ravel was the best part of the program: Bolero (beautifully controlled) and then Pavane (my highlight of the program; very pure and stuff). The Dvorak was a mess... distorting some passages rhythmically, pulling stuff this way and that, underlining certain parts and destroying the whole structure generally.

I've also heard bits of his Mahler 1 and really don't care to hear the whole thing. It was even worse than the Dvorak, what I heard.

Not saying Dudamel is a bad musician (I don't want this to be a repeat of that Vengerov disaster), I just don't like his style.

Just listened to his Berlioz:



Perhaps what WV wrote is true, but just like in conservative Dvorak you have to stick to "rules", there are no such boundaries in Berlioz and his weird works. Dudamel conducted it great (never hear this tuba note during marche au supplice, when brass is "laughing" at sentenced hero before), just like it should be IT WAS MADNESS... MADNESS? THIS... IS... BERLIOOOOOOOOOZ <gets kicked by Dudamel and falls into depths of tuba>.

And I loved applause, unusually spontaneous and energetic, first time I got impression that people on audience were some real music enthusiasts, not geezers who have nothing better to do. Really strong applause + various cries of joy and satisfaction. But it's not that perfect, some ******** dared to cough.

Hi Gentlemen,
I have had the privilege of singing under Gustavo Dudamel. I performed Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe with him 2 years ago. It was the fourth time I had performed the work. I sing with Pacific Chorale, in the Soprano section. Dudamel had the most refreshing and passionate approach in his interpretation while preparing the chorus. Outrageous performance!!! Absolutely physical~ I love him. Yes, he is a loose canon at times but I think that fire is needed in our genre... I want classical music to continue to inspire young people as well as seasoned individuals. He can reach across generations limitlessly. Anyway, my opinion only. I am new to the forum, so I shooting off my very first opinion!! He a joy to work with~ Randi Ann

Dudamel has fire, passion, and impeccable musicianship! He is fresh and not afraid to be original. He is great with Stravinsky and has a deep reverence for his art form. He makes the works kinesthetic not just intellectual!
Thanks for responding to my thread~
Randi

I like listening to him, but I find him hard to watch. His motions are way too over-exaggerated and they just seem forced. Watching his arms jolt in and out like a robot and his fro flopping around is a little distracting. His sound is good, however, so that makes up for it.

I agree with Jeff. He's hard to watch. Kinda annoying. His interviews are mindless mumblings most of the time... but that may be because he's young and wisdom comes with age. He does make great music and works tirelessly. I wish him a lot of success.

He has thousands of fans and thousands of critics. I have read that they say a lot that he can be eaten by the media, I am a classic music rookie and don't understand that, and also i don't understand if either critics or praises are better for a young conductor or both or none and why. Can someone explain me that?

they'll hype anyone they need/want to.