LA Phil maestro Gustavo Dudamel doesn’t play the Hollywood Bowl that often, but when he does, he makes it an event to remember. And memorable it was as he shared the stage with world-famous pianist Yuja Wang and the Bowl Orchestra for two musical masterpieces. Gershwin’s classic “Rhapsody in Blue” and Ravel’s “Bolero” were performed underneath a starry sky and like never before. Malibu music fans like Ginny Mancini always gives these programs a big thumbs up.
The night started with “Catfish Row,” Gershwin’s five-movement suite from “Porgy and Bess,” which landed a big applause, followed by “Summertime” and another standing ovation. Yang meantime, in her dazzling outfits, made the piano center stage and jaws dropped at the ease with which she played. With the piano placed in front of the conductor, she was clearly in the spotlight. She gave a fresh twist on “Rhapsody in Blue,” which garnered yet another standing ovation. With hands furiously clapping, her encore was Kapustin’s “Toccata.”
“Rhapsody in Blue” was sheer magic …
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