It was inevitable. The writing has been on the wall for quite some time. Today’s announcement that the Los Angeles Philharmonic had to cancel their entire 2020-2021 season arrived with the inescapable reality of the world in which we live. Along with that came another enormous wave of sadness.
We lost this summer’s Hollywood Bowl season due to the pandemic. It wasn’t a surprise that the first half of the season at Walt Disney Concert Hall would also be cancelled. Still, somehow, there was optimism that we as a nation and we as a responsible public could navigate our way through this crisis more effectively than we have. That turned out not to be the case.
It bears repeating that these continuing cancellations have a profound impact on the organizations and the thousands of musicians, ushers, stagehands, box office personnel, food service employees and others who work with and for an organization like the LA Phil.
Then there’s the loss of the live performances for all of us who could certainly use it right now. We can all listen to Yuja Wang perform John Adams’ Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes? on the superb Deutsche Grammophon recording by the LA Phil, but it doesn’t compare to hearing the piece performed live either in the WDCH or at the Bowl.
Ah yes, the Bowl. In the press release that went out today, Chad Smith, CEO of the LA Phil said, “Together with all of Los Angeles, we will arrive on the other side of this pandemic. We now look toward next summer, when we will welcome audiences back to the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford and celebrate each iconic venue’s centenary with new meaning and purpose.”
I pray he’s right. I would love nothing more than to be able to return to the Bowl next summer. But realistically what are the odds of that? There’s no vaccine (and who knows how many people will take it once there is one), the long-discussed second wave appears to be on us already and frankly this virus is baffling scientists.
The LA Philharmonic had no choice in making this decision. Thankfully they have invested time and resources into projects like Sound/Stage and In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. These shows remind us how vital a role live music and this orchestra plays in our lives – whether you live in Los Angeles or not.
As the pandemic continues its hold on America and the world, I look forward to the day when the cancelling of culture is no longer necessary and we can begin restoring our souls and our psyches with dance, theater and live music at venues across the world – including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.
R.I.P. Los Angeles Philharmonic 2020-2021 season. It was going to be a great season.
Photo: Walt Disney Concert Hall Boxoffice May 2020 (Photo by Craig L. Byrd)