Malibu music lovers were delighted by a performance by one of their favorite conductors. Grand maestro and much-loved former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen (EPS) made his return to Walt Disney Concert Hall to perform “Mahler’s First Symphony.” EPS has been juggling a lot of musical balls in his symphonic repertoire of late, but made time to make it back to the place he called home for so long.
He reunited with his familiar longtime musicians: the talented bunch at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There was no question what the audience thought when they gave him a hero’s welcome.
The program began with the theme of this year’s season and featured a spectacular rendition of Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1.”
The soloist was Yefim Bronfman — an old pal of Esa-Pekka and the organization who wrote his first piano concerto with EPS a few years back.
And there’s more musical magic in store: Esa-Pekka plans to return for two big French concerts in February, featuring the Los Philharmonic, including a performance of Debussy’s opera “Pelléas et Mélisande.”
And let’s not forget Esa-Pekka’s affection for Mahler. Conducting the first symphony was a priority for him in his early years as music director with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
It’s been an exciting season for the Los Angeles Phil, kicking off with a spectacular knock-out performance with Itzhak Perlman a few weeks back. As can be expected, Perlman wowed the crowd and received a standing ovation. But this is just the beginning and there is much more music to come.
LEO’S LUCKY DAYS
Familiar Malibu face Leonardo DiCaprio is on a roll for his latest role as fur trapper Hugh Glass in “The Revenant.” The film is set in the 1900s and tells the story of survival and vengeance.
It has not only won Leo rave reviews, but both a Golden Globe and a SAG Award. Oh yes, and he recently met with the Pope. The two discussed climate change and the environment. Leo has already raised $45 million through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
But back to the movies: Leo has had acclaimed performances in films like “The Aviator,” “The Wolf of Wall Street” and, of course, a little flick called “Titanic” where he was “King of the World.”
Despite those famous films and numerous awards, there is one prize that has eluded him … the biggest award of them all: the Oscar.
“The Revenant” could change all that and make his dream come true. The film has an amazing 12 Academy Award nominations, including best picture and best actor. Could this be Leo’s year? A lot of critics and fans are counting on it.