As a kid in Barquisimeto Gustavo Dudamel already redirected New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He did it in his room with his stuffed animals as their musician and stopped recordings to say what they were doing wrong. This anecdote is commemorated by the Venezuelan maestro in the renovated theater that was lauded this Monday. Wu Tsai of David Geffen HallHome of the New York Orchestra at Lincoln Center, where he was appointed music and artistic director from the 2026-2027 season.
In a discussion with executive director Deborah Borda, which later opened up to questions from the media, director since 1999 Venezuela Simon Bolivar OrchestraWith the Philharmonic Orchestra since 2009 angels and from the 2021 musical Paris He spoke of that boy who “had the opportunity to have it.” great trip and reaching one of the most emblematic arts institutions in the world”. to them 42 years He also talked about one appointment that “filled him”. pride” and one privilege“and hope this is a reference” so that girls and boys dreams can be achievedabsolutely, with work, discipline and passion”.
He also admitted that he was “proud” of being first spanish Who gets to that position that great people like? Gustav Mahler, Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, Lorin Maazel or Zubin Metha.
Education, social transformation and Unamuno
Questions are piling up for Dudamel: his repertory line, the changes he could make when he took over the head of an orchestra he made his debut in 2007, and some questions he remembers he can’t answer yet, “that’s it” It’s hard to come to a place and say that I will do this and that.You need flexibility learning from the place and from the people”. However, he spoke at length about the possibility of bringing the same, although he has no specific plans yet. educational spirit and working with the community who has already made part of his legacy from Venezuela, of which he is the fruit systema program created by the teacher José Antonio Abreu (“a father”), even in Los Angeles, where he started Los Angeles Youth Orchestra.
“is-is Working with youth, with communities is part of my DNA, “Especially the disadvantaged, take the orchestra to the community and don’t wait for people to come here.” Music as a tool for social transformation” and emphasizing “great educational dynamics”. “Art institutions should be the identity of society,” he said. “we cannot limitr is just the size of what we do entertainhave transformational direction”. And there he applied Miguel de Unamuno: “The identity that should be given to the town and the people is culture. Freedom is in culture”.
Dudamel also demonstrated his belief that artists have a mission “especially in our time” and that it is necessary to engage, for example, the younger generation. “One must educating people but goodnot to put art on a pedestal without access,” he said. “We have to change this mindset and we’re the only ones who can do it with what we do
Dudamel, who is married to Spanish actress Natalia Valverde, with whom he has a son, reassured that the family is very happy and eager to achieve. new Yorka city “fascinating, culturally rich, very specialIn 1995, he visited for the first time with the Venezuelan National Children’s Orchestra and declared that he “loved” it. “As an artist and a citizen of the world, she has an energetic cultural life that can enrich my soul and transform me, but I have to live it to know it,” she said.
And yes, there is still time as the directors of the New York Philharmonic have already declared and repeatedly said, “Dudamel era”. But in a way, it has already begun. And what the teacher sees in the institution is “not just the old one, but also possibilities of what could happen in the future”.