For nearly 500 years, writers and thinkers have used metaphors to describe the symphonic orchestra. Often representing the virtues and mores of a time and place, comparisons have likened the orchestra to civil society, a coordinated army, human body, forces of nature, a finely tuned machine, poetry, or a tableau. A poem published in Dwight’s Journal of Music in 1852 went so far to encompass the entire globe within this ensemble, lyricizing:

The world is but a huge Orchestra,
And we therein musicians be,
And she who stirs our human feelings,
Is our sweet sister, Harmony.

For Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, an orchestra is family, united by joy, trust, and a passion for making music. He shared this sentiment even before his tenure began, saying in 2009, “For me, this is really so exciting to be starting my first season as Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic...it’s a wonderful opportunity to make great music with my new LA Phil family. The most important thing is to enjoy our time together.”

Looking back nearly 17 years later, those early ambitions have blossomed into a fruitful relationship. Together, this family has scaled artistic heights, pushed the boundaries of classical music, and expanded the role of an orchestra within its greater community.

Tonight’s program shines a spotlight on members of the LA Phil family, showcasing the individual talents of musicians who day in and day out miraculously create something bigger than themselves. The evening begins with Rossini’s rousing William Tell Overture, followed by featured solos and duets from Principal Bassoonist Whitney Crockett, Principal Oboist Ryan Roberts, Principal Horn Andrew Bain, Principal Flutist Denis Bouriakov, Acting Concertmaster Bing Wang, keyboardist Joanne Pearce Martin, Principal Cellist Robert deMaine, Principal Harpist Emmanuel Ceysson, Principal Timpanist Joseph Pereira and Principal Percussionist Matthew Howard, Principal Clarinetist Boris Allakhverdyan, Principal Trombonist David Rejano Cantero, and Principal Bassist Christopher Hanulik.

The two final works on the program, John Williams’ Bravo Gustavo! and Gabriela Ortiz’s Mujer Arena, are world premieres specially commissioned for this performance. Williams and Ortiz are cherished members of the LA Phil family, collaborating on celebrated performances, curated projects, and acclaimed recordings. For his contribution, Williams honors Dudamel with a lively fanfare for the LA Phil trumpet section—Principal Thomas Hooten, Associate Principal James Wilt, Christopher Still, and Jeffrey Strong. Ortiz’s composition is a showpiece for orchestra, dedicated to Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

As we mark the exceptional partnership between Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil musicians in this final weekend of the Walt Disney Concert Hall season, one thing is for certain: More is to come. “It will always be a joy and a privilege for me to make music with my beloved LA Phil family, and to continue these artistic conversations that have grown and evolved over so many wonderful years,” Dudamel says.

—Amanda Angel