Cast
Program notes
Once again Gustavo Dudamel has inflamed audiences and hearts! The charismatic Venezuelan conductor recently performed, for the first time, the whole cycle of Beethoven’s symphonies in Bogotá‘s Teatro Mayor. Under his baton was the energetic Simón Bolívar Orchestra, the crowning achievement of El Sistema, the world renowned programme of social uplift through classical music.
Symphony No. 1 and No. 2 were the first installments of the precious gift Maestro Dudamel enthusiastically offered his Colombian admirers.
"There is first of all an historic relationship with Colombia. Venezuela and Colombia are brotherly countries", he told Musica.
"Simón Bolívar, who enabled us to become independent, turned us into brothers. Bolívar and Beethoven lived in the same period, and I think that they shared the same ideals: and that’s what makes this cycle so very special!"
Beethoven in the blood:
"Brotherhood, sharing love… all this makes so much sense especially today when the need to create bridges among peoples is so strong; every day, instead, we build new frontiers, not bridges. Music is a universal language. And the most universal music is Beethoven’s: he’s the one who celebrated brotherhood… and shared, universal, happiness!