Classical Music Is in Crisis. Gustavo Dudamel Is Here to Save It.

About this episode

<p>This week marks the start of the Gustavo Dudamel era in New York.</p><p>The superstar conductor was just 28 when he became the musical director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2009. A native of Venezuela and a product of its El Sistema musical training program, Dudamel quickly established himself not just as a great conductor, but also as a cultural force of nature. In his time in Los Angeles, he expanded the Philharmonic’s repertoire, created a successful youth outreach program, won prestigious awards and ingratiated himself with Hollywood elite.</p><p>Now, after 17 years in Los Angeles, Dudamel is taking the helm at one of the world’s most famous and storied orchestras: the New York Philharmonic. It’s a job once held by Leonard Bernstein, and Dudamel is hoping to follow in Bernstein’s footsteps to make the Philharmonic and the music that it plays a bigger part of the pop culture landscape.</p><p>On today’s episode, Joshua Barone, who covers classical music for The Times, discusses Dudamel, what he’s accomplished and the high hopes for his tenure with the New York Philharmonic.</p><p><br><strong>Music Featured (in order of appearance, all conducted by Gustavo Dudamel):</strong></p><ul><li>Johann Strauss, Tik-Tak Polka, Polka Schnell, Op. 365, Weiner Philharmoniker (Sony Music Entertainment)</li><li>Dmitri Shostakovich, Festive Overture, Op. 96, Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)</li><li>Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor IV. Adagietto, Berlin Philharmonic (Berlin Philharmonic Recordings)</li><li>Antonin Dvorak, Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, B. 163, III. Allegretto grazioso- Molto vivace, Los Angeles Philharmonic (Deutsche Grammophon)</li><li>John Williams, “The Imperial March” (From “Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back”), Los Angeles Philharmonic (UMG Recordings, Inc)</li><li>John Adams, “En un Día de Amor Yo Bajé Hasta la Tierra,” The Gospel According to the Other Mary, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Los Angeles Philharmonic (Deutsche Grammophon)</li><li>Gabriela Ortiz, “Kauyumari,” Los Angeles Philharmonic (Platoon)</li><li>Ludwig Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92, IV. Allegro con brio, Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)</li><li>Thomas Adès, “XII. The Thieves — devoured by reptiles,” Dante, Los Angeles Master Chorale and Los Angeles Philharmonic (Nonesuch Records)</li><li>Ludwig Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio, Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra (Deutsche Grammophon)</li><li>Ludwig Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra (self-released)</li><li>Leonard Bernstein, “End Credits” and “The Dance at the Gym: Mambo,” from “West Side Story” (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Los Angeles Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic (Hollywood Records)</li></ul><p><strong>On Today’s Episode:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/joshua-barone" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Joshua Barone</strong></a> is an editor for the Culture section of The New York Times who works on classical music and dance coverage. He also writes criticism about classical music and opera.</p><p><strong>Background Reading:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/arts/music/gustavo-dudamel-los-angeles-new-york.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gustavo Dudamel’s Long Goodbye to L.A., and Long Hello to New York</a></li><li><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/magazine/gustavo-dudamel-los-angeles-philharmonic.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">What Makes Superstar Conductor Gustavo Dudamel So Good?</a></p><p>Photo Credit: James Estrin/ The New York Times</p></li></ul> <p><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily"><strong>nytimes.com/thedaily</strong></a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p><p> </p><p>Subscribe today at <a href="http://nytimes.com/podcasts">nytimes.com/podcasts</a> or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher">https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher</a>. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.</p></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>