Here is my exclusive interview with Gustavo Dudamel for today's Independent - the interview that most of the music business said I'd never get in a blue moon.
"I think we have to make everyone understand that it's important to have a future for the people. It's important to give the best level of art, the best level of culture and the best level of music to ALL the people, not only to one part of the community. This is the message of El Sistema..."
He and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra are at the Proms tonight doing Mahler's Second Symphony. "Resurrection is happening every day," he says. "It's the resurrection of hope."
Remember my Fred & Ginger clip the other day? This is what it was all about... "They laughed at me, wanting The Dude, said I was reaching for the moon...But ah, he came through - now they'll have to change their tune..."
Here's what happened last time they came to the Proms. You've seen it before. See it again. If you can't get to the show tonight, it's live on BBC Radio 3 as usual and on TV tomorrow.
3 comments:
Great piece - well done!
I'm embarrassed to say I'd never heard of him before. Thanks for posting, you've enriched my life by way of this introduction.
I so agree. Classical music has been on the down because of the failure to connect with and electrify the regular person, instead trying to get good marks from the intellectual critics. That's why I've always loved Rieu. People who "hate classical" still love him.
I can - and have - watched this clip over and over. There is something about the joy, the complete abandon to the spirit of the music that is wholly irresistible. I so wish Lennie could have been there to see and hear it. As someone who was so interested and involved in bringing music to young people I believe he would have been as overwhelmed as the rest of us. And brava! on getting your interview.
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