The Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, gave the world premiere of Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass at Walt Disney Concert Hall with performers including spoken-word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph. Photo by Elizabeth
In Tuesday’s (4/22) San Francisco Classical Voice, Tazmin Elliott writes, “The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s premiere of Carlos Simon’s Good News Mass was like a Christian service. The work’s librettist, spoken-word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph, was our preacher. And the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage, electric with faith on Friday evening, April 18, was our church. To create a truly cohesive supergroup, the LA Phil, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, was joined by R&B artist Samoht, singer and actor Zebulon Ellis, and Jason White and his gospel choir The Samples. Shifting between Joseph’s devotional poetry, solos from Samoht and Ellis, pensive and lush instrumentals, and the tight and ready choir, this 45-minute work was like a kind of church-theater, yet it felt so real…. Simon composes in a way that bridges gospel, classical, and jazz…. The instrumental interludes showcased rich orchestration and Simon’s direct, lyrical style … The LA Phil shifted gears to provide seamless support…. Simon’s music was complemented by gorgeous, haunting videos directed by Melina Matsoukas … Violinist Randall Goosby is a soloist rightfully on the rise, and on Friday, his performance of Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2 led the audience through the music with clarity and immediacy.” The concert opened with Bernstein’s 1980 Divertimento.
