Los Angeles Philharmonic
About this Artist
Find out more about the members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC has redefined what an orchestra can be. Under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel since 2009, it presents an inspiring array of music through a commitment to foundational works and adventurous explorations. At home and abroad, the LA Phil—recognized as one of the world’s outstanding orchestras—leads the way in groundbreaking and diverse programming that demonstrates the orchestra’s artistry and vision, on stage and in the community.
The LA Phil performs or presents more than 250 concerts annually at its iconic venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford. During its winter season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, with approximately 165 performances, the LA Phil creates festivals, artist residencies, and other thematic programs designed to enhance the audience’s experience of orchestral music. Since 1922, its summer home has been the world-famous Hollywood Bowl, host to the finest artists from all genres of music.
The orchestra’s involvement with Los Angeles extends far beyond the Concert Hall, with wide-ranging performances in the schools, churches, and neighborhood centers of a vastly diverse community. Among its influential and multifaceted education initiatives is YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Through YOLA, the LA Phil and its community partners provide free instruments, intensive music instruction, and leadership training to nearly 1,200 students from underserved neighborhoods, empowering them to become vital citizens, leaders, and agents of change.
The orchestra also undertakes tours, including regular visits to New York, Paris, and Tokyo, among other cities. The Philharmonic is now the International Orchestral Partner at London’s Barbican Centre. The orchestra’s very first tour was in 1921, and the Philharmonic has toured every season since 1969/70.
The LA Phil has a substantial catalog of concerts available online, including the first full-length classical music video released on iTunes.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic was founded in 1919 by William Andrews Clark, Jr., a wealthy amateur musician. Walter Henry Rothwell became its first Music Director, serving until 1927; since then, 10 renowned conductors have served in that capacity: Georg Schnéevoigt (1927–1929); Artur Rodziński (1929–1933); Otto Klemperer (1933–1939); Alfred Wallenstein (1943–1956); Eduard van Beinum (1956–1959); Zubin Mehta (1962–1978); Carlo Maria Giulini (1978–1984); André Previn (1985–1989); Esa-Pekka Salonen (1992–2009); and Gustavo Dudamel (2009–present).