Gustavo Dudamel may not be Tim Tebow or Jeremy Lin, but for those who follow the world of classical music, there’s little doubt the 31-year-old is a very big deal indeed these days. The native of Venezuela is the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has become the latest superstar of the symphonic set. His charisma and trademark hairdo of flowing curls have helped propel his orchestra into a series of performances that are being broadcast in movie theaters around the country. But the talented conductor is also the focus of some unflattering coverage because of the political implications of his ties to Venezuelan institutions.
As the New York Times reported yesterday, the LA Philharmonic’s tour of Dudamel’s native land has thrown a spotlight on his mentor José Antonio Abreu and the youth music program El Sistema that set him on the path to stardom. Whether he intended to do so or not, Dudamel has allowed himself to be used as a prop of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s dictatorial president whose office took over El Sistema two years ago. Instead of using his international prestige to stand up against Chavez’s efforts to subvert democracy, Dudamel may have become one more artistic façade for a government hell-bent on destroying human rights in Venezuela. In doing so, he has become part of a long tradition of morally obtuse musicians who played for dictators.
In addition to the current tour that is being used by Chavez to burnish his image at home, Dudamel conducted the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (for which he also serves as music director) in the national anthem for the initial broadcasts of a new government television channel that replaced an independent channel shut down by Chavez for criticizing his administration. The televised concert was, as the Times noted, “dominated by images of Mr. Chavez and the phrase ‘Onward, Commandante!’”
So while the likeable Dudamel has become a classical star here in the United States, he has also become a symbol of the way every aspect of Venezuelan culture has been taken over by the Chavez regime to the detriment of his country’s freedom and the security of the region.
Many classical musicians have never been squeamish about taking coin from the hands of dictators or about allowing their talents to be purchased for the purpose of bolstering evil regimes. In one of the most recent instances, the New York Philharmonic accepted an invitation to play before the leadership of one of the craziest and most oppressive governments in the world: North Korea. While the New Yorkers claimed their music would be a symbol of freedom and improving relations, the only ones to benefit from the show were the Communist regime and the orchestra.
But there is another more admirable tradition in the arts: that of the artist who puts principle above all else and refuses to bow down to tyrants. The most distinguished example is the famed conductor Arturo Toscanini, who was an ardent foe of fascism in his Italian homeland. After an initial flirtation with Benito Mussolini’s movement, Toscanini defied the dictator and became a symbol of resistance to his rule. He suffered attacks and insults, and it was only his status as an international superstar that saved him from a worse fate. During this period it should be noted that Toscanini also conducted the inaugural performance of the fledgling Palestine Orchestra (today the Israel Philharmonic) that was largely comprised of Jewish refugees from Germany. He only returned to Italy after the Second World War and the demise of fascism.
Dudamel may be a wonderful music talent and have a long, celebrated career ahead of him. But the laurels that go to those artists, who, at their personal cost, stand up for freedom, will not go to him. He may be a fine conductor, but Gustavo Dudamel is no Toscanini.
I do not usually listen to music entirely in the abstract. Hence I would cringe and find it thoroughly unpleasant to listen to anything associated with Dudamel. And now also the LA Philharmonic. How tragic it is that not long ago we had Zubin Mehta with the LA Sympathy, the New York Sympathy, and the Israel Philharmonic. We now have Dudamel. What a long way down.
No, Dudamel is not another Toscanini. n nHe's another von Karajan.
A Zionist preaching about human rights resembles nothing so much as a crocodile preaching vegetarianism.
A lying piece of sh-t. Not grumpy. Just pure SH-T.
No arguments from you, Vile Old Anti-Semite. Just bile, filth and hate.
And the funny thing is, the post by Tobin and the issue of civil rights in Venezuela has virtually nothing to do with Israel or Zionism. But this rancid anti-Semite cannot help himself. It always comes back to the same thing. That is what happens when you have an obsessive and irrational hatred.
In the neocon world, “human rights” is a club to beat those who are perceived as enemies of Israel. If Hugo Chavez welcomed Netanyahu the way he welcomed Ahmadinejad, he’d be a wise leader of his people. He says unpleasant things about Israel, so he’s a “human rights” offender.
All for human rights except for Palestinians and critics of the Zionist entity.
Venezuela is a vibrant democracy. President Hugo Chavez Frias is no dictator. He is the democratically elected president.
What a simplistic reasoning. Following your line of reasoning: Hitler was democratically elected so he was not a dictator. Do you know how many political prisoners the "vibrant democracy" has in Venezuela? Do you know how many political exiles the "vibrant democracy" has produced? Are you aware of the rampant corruption in the "vibrant democracy"? Are you aware of the threats of HCF of calling a civil war if he is defeated in the October elections?
Mehta was an apologist for Israel. That's about as morally bankrupt as it gets. Dudamel recognizes that Chavez has greatly improved the living standards of the poor. That makes him a good guy to everyone but the Israel uber alles crowd.
This blog would not be complete without mention of Daniel Barenboim, of course. Jonathan Tobin chooses to ignore the elephant in the room. Dudamel, was Barenboim blessed prior to his appointment to The LA Philharmonic. Where does one even start describing Barenboim’s politics. From a business standpoint, some may see The Dudamel appointment as a slam dunk for The LA Phil. In the same vein, it may be seen by some, a brilliant stroke for the Republican nominee to choose a Hispanic for VP. If Dudamel is the best Barenboim can do for annointing the next generation of Barenboim-esque musical directors I must tell you it is ridiculous. The reason why is politics aside, which for Barenboim is almost impossible, but trust me…set aside….Barenboim is a bona fide musical genius while Dudamel is in my opinion just an okay conductor, at best, and below par generally. Theatrics put on by conductors on the podium in this day and age is no mitigation measure for a mediocre performance, it never was, but especially now with the bar having been set so high. The orchestra knows what the conductor wants after the rehersals, the The Leonard Berstein-esque moves are un-necessary and distracting. Bernstein did not have to do that, he would have been fine if he had just sped up on those painfully long drawn out…oh never mind.
Pierre Monteux hardly moved when he conducted. Monteux marked time and gave cues. His performances were great.
It is truly unfortunate that Mr. Barenboim, not only one of the greatest pianists of our time, as well as a great conductor, is so seemingly off base politically. Maybe Dudamel is stuck with the politics, he may more afraid of alienating Barenboim than Chavez, who no doubt encourages Dudamel to be a horses ass just like his mentor.
I’m surprised DB has not been kidnapped by Hamas, yet.
Will he ever come to his senses…probably not because he is an ignoramous, a stubborn mule who just happens to be a great artist. Dudamel is not a great artist, just merely plays one. It is nice he helps the children, perhpas that is where is true talents lie because I will never go to any concert of his. I did a double blind test and Dudamel’s performance was never better than mediocre at best. If I were the producer of that movie I would sync up a Barenboim recording with the visuals of Dudamel sticking out his tongue and whatever else he does up there…can’t stand his act. I blame the nitwits at The LA Phil. They pipe the pre concert talk throughout the entire building so if you want to look forward to hearing the music fresh you are out of luck when the pre-concert host puts on the recorded music. AMATEURS.