CELEBRATING SALONEN
The Los Angeles Philharmonic kicked off its new season at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with a glittering opening night filled with drama, flash and fireworks. It was a celebration of Esa-Pekka Salonen who is in his final year as music director. Since the Stravinsky-loving conductor still runs the show, it came as no surprise that he put together a dynamic program filled with selections from one of his favorite composers.
The starry night began with a posh cocktail party in Disney’s BP Hall, where the tables were done up in shiny silver lame, topped with dramatic arrangements of blood-red roses and orchids. Gussied-up guests apparently got the memo, as the biggest style statements were made in shades of black, red and silver. President Deborah Borda ditched her usual gala gown and went for a sexy one-shouldered cocktail frock. Malibu’s Ginny Mancini sparkled in a silver rose wrap and black-tiered chiffon skirt paired with blingy chandelier earrings. Music loving Trekkie fans, meantime, were over the moon with both Capt. Kirk and Mr. Spock in attendance.
Eli and Edy Broad caught up with old friends while servers made the rounds with wild mushroom empanadas, smoked salmon, and caviar and endive cups with gorgonzola and candied walnuts.
The night’s buzz was all about Esa Pekka, who took the LA Phil by storm and never looked back. “He is such a presence,” said longtime Phil fan Thomas Decker. “He really elevated this orchestra to one of the tops in the world.”
Before the performance got underway, there was an unexpected announcement from the president. “There are many ways to say thank you,” Borda said. “But what do you get for a guy who has it all?” Apparently the Phil found a way in the form of $1.6 million. To express gratitude for EPS’s “remarkable vision and accomplishments over the last 17 years,” the Philharmonic established the Esa-Pekka Salonen Commissions Fund to support new works of music. “We want to express their thanks for an amazing tenure.” The grand going-away gift is sure to keep his legacy alive. “I am so overwhelmed by this surprise,” he said. “And I am so proud of my organization.”
For the esteemed director and composer, who made his way from the Music Center to the Phil’s magnificent new home at Disney Hall, the season is bittersweet. “There are so many memories from every piece we play,” he said. “Everything in tonight’s program has a special significance. Every time I come to this stage, I think I am so lucky. There is no other place like this on the planet.”
The program included several selections from Stravinsky, Adams’ “Nixon in China” and some Sondheim thrown in for good measure. Acclaimed sopranos Barbara Hannigan, Audra McDonald and Dawn Upshaw gave it their all. The grand finale featured music from Stravinsky’s “The Firebird.” It ended with a bang and a spectacular display of indoor, yes indoor, fireworks!
After a standing ovation, gala-goers filed into an enormous open-air tent done up in the evening’s colors of black and red with a dozen crystal chandeliers and ornate silver mirrors. Tables were dressed up in ruby-red silk and topped with boxes of red roses, black twigs and Chinese bird cages.
A room full of Esa Pekka admirers then tucked into a first class feast of oak smoked salmon with Yukon potato blinis, rack of Colorado lamb with fall root veggies and a black Russian panna cotta with espresso and Kahlua.
Final ESP accolades came from famed architect and Sal pal Frank Gehry who said, “We’ve enjoyed the genius of this man for sometime watching him grow in this community. You will produce some of the most incredible music for the world-so go do it.”
Esa-Pekka’s response? “It’s been an amazing journey and it’s not over yet.”
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