Spot Cat / 03 February 2025 / Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Venues and Arenas, Theatres, Concerts and Gigs

The Walt Disney Music Center Concert Hall Los Angeles

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

I’ve been a member of the symphony in Los Angeles on and off for years. $75 bucks a year buys you a friends membership but for $1000 you get exclusive access to pretty much everything, priority seats, parking the works.

I remember in the early 2000’s ESA Pekka Salonen was the director of the Los Angeles Philarmonic (before kids) and we were at the symphony every other month.

Then like many we had a dry spell when we didn’t go at all and now we are back.

As friends of Los Angeles Philharmonic we went to the celebration of Michael Tilson in Saturday just gone.

Unfortunately both Michael Tilson Thomas and Yuja Wang had to cancel their appearances on February 1 with the LA Philharmonic as they were both unwell.

Instead we were treated to Susanna Mälkki, Edwin Outwater, and Jon Kimura Parker performing in their places in this celebration of Michael Tilson Thomas, now 80 years young and involved for over 5 decades.

Even though we didn’t get to see Michael, our visit was still wonderful.

I cannot think of another theatre anywhere in the world so impressive, in the centre of a metropolis but so quiet and serene on arrival. Not a bit like Broadway or the West end in London.

Like everything is LA going to a concert is a bit like going to Dodger stadium a lot of walking and a lot of people and the concert hall was almost full for the performance.

It’s an experience just people watching in the two tiered, glass fronted lobby before the start of the performance.

You’ll find the signature red velvet but not in the abundance of a traditional theatre, the building’s famous architectural design

Inspires fresh and modern whilst bringing both classic and contemporary production from LA Phil, considered one of the finest orchestras in the world under the current guidance of director Gustavo Dudamel who is also artistic director Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.

ESA Pekka Salonen still serves today as conductor Laureate.

There are free guided audio tours available on the music Center website. Well worth doing.if only to look at the magnificent building