It was a very grand night at Walt Disney Concert Hall as the Los Angeles Philharmonic launched its 2012/2013 season. Music director Gustavo Dudamel has promised to shake things up, and he sure has. This year’s star-studded festivities kicked off with both spectacular music and amazing dance. “The Philharmonic Dances” honored the rich tradition of dance rhythms in orchestral music. It featured performances by some of the most talented dancers in the country, as well as world premiere choreography and music by Adams, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Saint-Saëns and Bernstein.
Longtime local Julie Andrews was just one of the famous faces in attendance, in addition to Jacqueline Emerson, Mary Hart, Don Johnson, Matthew Lillard, Chris O’Donnell, Matthew Rhys, Constance Towers and film composer John Williams. They joined LA Phil President Deborah Borda, who made a dramatic entrance in a stunning strapless gown gracing the red carpet and making her way up the grand stairway.
Civic leaders milling in the crowd included Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky, Don Knabe and Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Los Angeles County CEO William T. Fujioka. They were joined by LA Phil chairman David C. Bohnett and gala cochairs Joan Hotchkis and Carolyn Powers.
Well-heeled guests in elegant gowns and clad in black tie sipped champagne and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres at BP Hall, where the ruby red tables were topped with mirrored boxes filled with roses for a VIP reception.
The concert was presented in collaboration with “Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center.” It opened with “Chairman Dances,” by LA Phil creative chair John Adams. The piece was accompanied by LA Phil-commissioned world premiere choreography by Barak Marshall and performed by LA’s “BodyTraffic Dance Company” with dancers dressed in costumes designed by Raquel Barreto.
Up next, there were selections from Stravinsky and Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky and Bernstein with dancers from the ABT.
The grand finale, Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite,” prompted a standing ovation.
Following the concert, the festive atmosphere continued on Grand Avenue, where guests were welcomed to the gala dinner. The huge, outdoor tent had a modern, edgy theme in bright red and silver with black accents. The tables were topped with bright carnations and red roses. Several monitors placed throughout the tent displayed changing videos and stills throughout the evening.
Following a few opening remarks, guests tucked into a first class feast created by celeb chef Joachim Splichal. The dining experience started off with di steffano ricotta, late summer Amish paste tomatoes, Haas avocados, soy onions, cucumber vinaigrette and grilled scallions. It was followed by a fine filet of beef and braised veal cheek and a farmers market vegetable tart, wild mushrooms with a creamy green peppercorn sauce. To top it off, guests enjoyed a roasted pumpkin pie tart served with praline caramel sauce, hazelnut ice cream, cranberry sauce and caramel tuile.
The evening was hailed as a huge success with all gala proceeds supporting the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs, including Youth Orchestra LA, the signature program of Gustavo Dudamel.