Classical Life

This morning I received a comment on this blog that was filled with venomous vitriol aimed squarely at Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

I am always surprised by the Dudamel naysayers or even doubters — have they actually heard the guy conduct, or are they just reacting to the hype? Or to “the politics” they claim to see in his appointment?

Usually, it seems to me, there is something extra-musical about the criticism — especially of the strongly negative variety — of Dudamel.

Ironically (if that’s the word I want), the comment arrived as I was sitting at my laptop writing a preview article for a Bay Area publication on Dudamel and the orchestra’s visit up there later this month, and touching upon this very topic.

As a music critic, you get a fair amount of this stuff sent your way. Perhaps I’m more sensitive about the subject because of it. The general public may not even know it happens. Certainly Esa-Pekka Salonen was never the target of such negativity, even though there were plenty who didn’t take a special liking to him musically.

Of course, the said comment was anonymous, or, I should say, it came from someone who called himself “disgusted.”

Well, Mr. Disgusted, I’m not going to publish your comment, but not because I disagree with it. We refrain from name calling and swearing here at Classical Life, as well as with the broadcasting of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.

If you’d like to give it another shot once you’ve calmed down, go ahead. But I can’t guarantee anything on my end.