Music directors of the orchestras that launched the California Festival, from left: Rafael Payare, San Diego Symphony; Esa-Pekka Salonen, San Francisco Symphony; Gustavo Dudamel, Los Angeles Philharmonic.
In Sunday’s (10/29) New York Times, Joshua Barone writes, “Nobody will be able to take in the entire California Festival, a statewide series of classical music events spanning 650 miles with such density that some nights will have 10 or more performances happening at once. The festival, Nov. 3 -19, was conceived by the music directors of the state’s three largest orchestras: Esa-Pekka Salonen of the San Francisco Symphony, Gustavo Dudamel of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Rafael Payare of the San Diego Symphony. But it grew to contain nearly 100 partnering organizations, who are presenting a host of world premieres and programs of contemporary music under the festival’s banner. It’s an overdue pat on the back for a state that has long encouraged new music, providing freedom and a sense of possibility that has made it the center of gravity for composers who work with a spirit of innovation ….” The article includes quotes from individuals involved in the festival including John Adams, Thomas Adès, Deborah Borda, Claire Chase, Gustavo Dudamel, Jeremy Geffen, Frank Gehry, Martha Gilmer, Ara Guzelimian, Rafael Payare, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Yuval Sharon, Matthew Spivey, and Pamela Z.
