Philharmonic Symphony

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Gustavo Dudamel is the new musical director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and it seems to be a marriage made in musical heaven. In one of the most populous Latino cities in the United States, it only makes sense that one of its top classical stars would be a young man from a lower middle class beginning from Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

Dudamel wasn't quite known as a child prodigy, but he comes from a musical background. His father was a violinist and his mother a voice teacher, so he had music in his household early in life. He didn't start playing an instrument until he was 10 years old, which is considered aged when talking about most prodigies, but he turned out to be very good, enough so that only a couple of years later he was enrolled into the Jacinto Lara Conservatory, where he studied violin with Jose Luis Jiminez. After that he went to study with Jose Francisco del Castillo at the Latin American Violin Academy.

At 14, he started studying conducting with Rodolfo Saglimbeni, and was named Music Director of the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra. Later on, in 1999, he began studying with Jose Antonio Abreu, and was also named music director of the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela. It's obvious he did have the talent to move so fast, even at a young age. It was evident in the fact that 60 Minutes did a story on him, the young violinist who was quickly becoming the up and rising new conducting star of the world.

He started touring with his group in 2000, first to Germany, and then later all throughout Europe, always to enthusiastic crowds. In 2004, Dudamel won the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition at age 23, and a couple of years later he was offered the position as conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in Sweden. In 2005, he signed his first recording contract.

In an interview he did in 2006, he talked about his early life, how music always seemed to be a part of it. He told a story on how his mother used to buy him plastic army men and how he'd arrange them so that they looked like an orchestra and pretend that he was conducting them. Being from a family that didn't have enough money, he was a product of one of the music programs Venezuela set up for underprivileged children. He stated that he doesn't see himself as a prodigy, just a regular person with an extraordinary love of music.

Dudamel wasn't finished collecting awards and other accolades either. In 2007 he was awarded the Premio de la Latinidad, and in 2008 the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra, which he still conducts, was granted Spain's Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. He's been asked to be the guest conductor for many of the world's best symphony's, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005. Others include the Israel Philharmonic, the Royal Liverpool Harmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He also conducted the opera Don Giovanni at La Scala in Milan, Italy. While conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2007, he was named the heir apparent to the role of Musical Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the 2009/2010 season. In the same month, he conducted the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra in commemoration of the Pope Benedict XVI's 80th birthday.

Not one to sit around, Dudamel continued traveling and conducting in 2008. He conducted at La Scala again, this time giving a performance of La Boheme. He performed in all the major cities of Europe, and a few cities within the United States as well. He was still doing special guest performances for many orchestras across the world, and he scored his second 60 Minutes story; not bad for someone who still is yet to reach the age of 30.

In 2009, he has become a much sought after interview and celebrity. In July 2009 he was awarded The City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize by José Antonio Abreu. He is the toast of the town in Los Angeles, with many people trying to learn more about him. He's married to a classically trained ballet dancer and journalist also from Venezuela; there are no kids. His first performance as conductor of the LA Philharmonic was to be Beethoven's 9th Symphony, an audacious opening performance that should introduce him as a tour de force to be reckoned with for years to come. With someone like Gustavo Dudamel, who says he hears music in his head at all times of the day, even when he's resting, the Philharmonic should be an interesting place to be for the coming years.

Luis Pezzini
lpezzini@SunsetStripRealty.com
http://www.SunsetStripRealty.com

Popular Tourist Attractions in Russia

The Russian Federation or simply Russia for short is a vast transcontinental country straddling the continents of Asia and Europe with Moscow as its capital city. With a massive territory covering 6,592,800 sq miles (17,075,400 sq km), Russia is the largest country in the world spanning across eleven time zones and covering more than one eighth of the world's land area.

For a country so vast, Russia has a population of only about 142 million people as at 2007. The country's history and culture went back a long way and because of this, although the Russian landscape is so beautiful and diverse, its main tourist attractions are its historical monuments and sites of majestic buildings, cathedrals, ancient cities and museums.

Nevertheless, nature loving tourist to Russia will always marvel at the largest freshwater lake in the world, stunning raging rivers and alpine forests teeming with fish and wildlife, majestic volcanoes, and towering mountains.

Herebelow are some of the more popular tourist attractions in Russia.

Moscow - Since Moscow is the capital of Russia, it is also the main gateway to the country and its provinces and tourist will usually start their sight-seeing tours here exploring Russia from this ancient city. Moscow itself is also home to several tourist attractions such as the Kremlin and the Red Square amongst many others.

Moscow is one of the biggest cities in the world and occupies an area of about 400 sq miles (1035 sq km) with a population of about 9 million people. This is not counting the more than three million tourists and visitors to the city yearly.

Moscow buildings are rather unique because its architectural style combines the features of Eastern as well as Western cultures and features. The Vysantium styles are mixed with architectural styles of Britain, Italy and other West-European countries.

A visit to some of Moscow's 80 museums are indeed eye openers as these museums preserve invaluable treasures ranging from rich collections of Russian and foreign art and culture. The Kremlin, the symbol of Russian might and power stands proudly towering over the left bank of the Moskva river. It is the oldest part of the city and is its political, historic and cultural center and the seat of Russia's legislative power. It is also the site of several museums.

Another tourist attraction in Moscow is the famous The Red Square which is the main square in Moscow and Russia not unlike what Tian An Men square is to China.

St. Petersburg - St Petersburg is another well known city in Russia popular with tourists because it is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and affectionately called Venice of the North. St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia after Moscow and has a population of about 5 million people. The city was founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and was the capital of the Russian Empire for about 2 centuries from 1712 to 1918. This historical city was the scene of the February and October revolutions in 1917 and was a besieged and fiercely defended city during the last world war.

St.Petersburg is an impressive display of remarkable architectures which can be seen from the cathedral of the Peter-Paul Fortress, the Summer Palace, the Winter Palace, the Smolny Convent, the Vorontsov and Strogonov palaces, the Kazan and St.Isaacs Cathedrals. It is also the soul of Russian fine arts in its rich world class music, ballet, and theatre performances.

If you are in St Petersburg, then you must not miss visiting The Hermitage Museum. This is one of the biggest museums in the world which was founded by Catherine the Great in 1764. Here is a treasure trove of famous works of luminary greats such as the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Titian, Velazques, Murillo, Rubens, Van Dyke, Hals, Poussin, Watteau, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse, Michelangelo and Rodin, just to name a few.

Velikiy Novgorod - Velikiy Novgorod is located on the banks of the river Volkhov River which is about 120 miles (about 190 km) south of St.Petersburg. This amazing ancient city was founded more than 11 centuries ago and is a popular tourist attraction today.

Velikiy Novgorod suffered severe damage from German bombing runs in the Second World. The good news is that many of the historical monuments are now restored to its former splendor and glory.

Murmansk - The town of Murmansk is located in northwestern Russia and has a population of almost half a million people. This town is now an important fishing port and is home to one of the largest its fish-processing plant in Europe.

The best time to visit Murmansk is during the Festival of the North, which is celebrated in the last week of March with a ski marathon and reindeer races.

Sochi - After touring some of Russia's city and towns, let's take a look at Sochi, Russia's favorite resort by the Black Sea with towering Caucasus Mountains serving as the beautiful resort's backdrop.

What makes Sochi such a popular resort in Russia is because of its cool subtropical climate, warm blue sea and the modern resort complexes. This resort also attracts dignitaries like local and foreign head of states and movie stars as its guests.

To cater to the demands of tourists, you can find dozens of hotels and campsites with more than 50 sanatoriums. There are also natural beauties to enjoy such as picturesque waterfalls, wonderful hilltop views, mineral springs spas and alpine vistas to stroll in.

Vladivostok - This is also another important Russian town that is worth visiting. Vladivostok is an important seaport and administrative center of Primorsky Kray region, in southeastern Russia and is extremely rich in Russian military history.

The town was founded in 1860 and is now the chief educational and cultural centre of the Russian Far East. The city is famous for its performing art theatres and its philharmonic symphony orchestra.

Vladivostok is surrounded by the Ussuri Nature Reserve and the Far East Maritime Reserve. Nature lovers can find bumbling black and brown bears, Siberian boars, majestic Ussuri tigers, the rare Amur leopard and colorful migratory birds in these reserves.

The Trans-Siberian Railway - The best way for tourists to discover and tour the vast expanse of Russia is by The Trans-Siberian Railway. The rail trip on the train from Moscow to Nakhodka takes about eight fascinating days, passing through forests of birch and pine, quaint Russian villages and beautiful steppes.

The train will also rumble past Siberia's Lake Baikal which is as big as Belgium and is home to the world's only freshwater seal. Other tourist attractions along the journey are the multicultural town of Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude city which is Russia's center of Buddhism.

Visiting Russia soon? Then do not missed out the tourist attactions featured in this article.

About the Author

Chris Chew loves traveling and owns a website describing tourist attractions in Asia at
Tourist Attractions In Beijing
and
Tourist Attractions In Japan

Who is the only Asian to compose symphony for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra?

A. A R Rehman
B. Shankar Mahadevan
C. Illayaraja
D. Anand Shankar

C. Illayaraja

Jacksonville Symphony concertgoers can expect night of 'heavenly sound'
JoAnn Faletta, the music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Virginia Symphony, will conduct the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, with guest artist Chee-yun, tonight and Saturday. For her essay on "Treasuring the Arts in Troubled Times," go to jack.jackonville.com.

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