It was Christmas Day in 1989. The Berlin Wall had recently come down. To celebrate the end of a divided Berlin, Leonard Bernstein conducted a monumental performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. It was a performance that resonated around the world. So it is only fitting that the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs Beethoven’s final symphony in a concert that pairs it with Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. After all, this is the 100th Anniversary of Bernstein’s birth.
Gustavo Dudamel will be leading the LA Phil in four concerts of Beethoven’s Symphony. Since Friday is “Casual Fridays” at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Bernstein’s work won’t be performed at that concert. But it will be included in the programs on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Joining the orchestra for these concerts will be the LA Master Chorale, countertenor John Holiday, soprano Julianna Di Giacomo, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson, tenor Michael König and bass-baritone Davóne Tines.
When Bernstein wrote Chichester Psalms, he used original Hebrew text for Psalms 2, 23, 100, 108, 131 and 133. This combination of these two works is arguably one of the best way to celebrate Bernstein’s centennial.
Photo by:Â ANDREAS MEYER-SCHWICKERATH, Courtesy of 99.5 WCRB Boston