I just saw Maestro, in which Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein rapturously leads the orchestra through the finale of Mahler 2, the “Resurrection Symphony.” Last year was Cate Blanchett’s turn to portray fictional esteemed conductor Lydia Tar working through Mahler, this time the fifth symphony.
The opening performance at the Disney Hall in 2003 was, you guessed it, Mahler, because evidently the second symphony is Esa Pekka Salonen’s favorite. Dudamel, the current (sometime) conductor and LA Phil musical director, is in the same fan club. Gustav M, Disney Hall house band.
