It’s no secret that going to see an orchestra perform can come with expectations, fair or unfair. It’s a stuffy crowd in their best attire filing into an out-of-date auditorium to politely clap for the equally well-polished performers on stage. But Gustavo Dudamel, as he leads the New York Philharmonic into a new era, shows that perceptions aren’t always what they seem, and sometimes Truth Hurts.
Under the ever-changing light show cast upon the iconic Radio City Music Hall ceiling, Dudamel exudes energy, turning the typically two-handed activity of conducting an orchestra into a full-body routine. His long curly hair bobs with each direction to the string, wind and brass sections, punctuated by percussion booming through the seats. Under his hairline is a knowing face, playfully surprised by the notes he instructs.
The evening's host, Manhattan’s own Liev Schreiber, recounted stories of his family working to support the joy they experienced while playing instruments. Whether driving cabs, selling art on the sidewalk, or delivering meat to restaurants, Schreiber saw the lengths his blue-collar family went to support their love of music. Those experiences helped shape his belief that access to music is a “universal right.” Schreiber welcomed the “New Yorker by way of Venezuela,” Dudamel, to his new post as head of the New York Philharmonic, telling him that the city “has always belonged to those who believe it can surprise itself.” Fresh off a 17-year stint leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Dudamel has quite the schedule ahead, performing 14 concerts over three weeks before taking the New York Philharmonic on a European swing.
The teamwork needed to pull together 100-some musicians and perform at the highest level reminded Schreiber of another group that had the Big Apple buzzing this summer. The excitement generated by the New York Knicks’ historic run to an NBA championship was the perfect comparison for Schreiber to illustrate the importance of teamwork. Other tributes to the city Dudamel now calls home included St.
Vincent singing her ode to the Big Apple and Aaron Tveit breathing new life into “Maria” from the iconic New York Musical West Side Story. Schreiber celebrated “the infinite opportunity when we cross the aisle and work together, like an orchestra.” While still enjoyed by many, performers in the space continue to seek ways to connect with younger audiences. That’s where a classically trained flutist with four Grammy wins comes in handy.
Lizzo joined Dudamel at center stage to perform her smash hit "Truth Hurts" not once, but twice. The swelling New York Philharmonic put a new spin on the well-known song, streamed more than a billion times on Spotify, to illustrate Schreiber’s message of unity, blending contemporary music and thought with the orchestra's classical sounds under Dudamel’s direction.
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