Yo-Yo Ma, Williams & Dudamel : John Williams, curator and conductor / Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra - April 3rd and 4th, 2025

[SyncMan 340]

John Williams, conductor

Yo-Yo Ma, soloist

https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3103/2025-04-03/yo-yo-ma-williams-dudamel

Quote

John Williams describes his friendship with legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma as “one of the treasures of my life,” and Ma has affectionately referred to the composer as “Ludwig.” The duo has been close collaborators since the early 1980s, leading to Williams writing music with Ma’s cello in mind and working together on the 2022 album A Gathering of Friends. Williams and Gustavo Dudamel share a similar friendship, built on artistic admiration and understanding, and the trio combine for an exhilarating night of Williams’ music.

 

[pete 1,025]

Well maybe this will be the premier of that new piece for Yo-Yo... maybe!

[WilliamsStarShip2282 321]

I'm surprised they announced this so far in advance, but I would really like to go if only they revealed the program, which I won't expect the last moment probably. Unless they're just playing music from that album, which would be pretty great.

[pete 1,025]

2025! I totally missed that.  Well John must be feeling healthy! 

[Tom 5,230]

4 hours ago, pete said:

Well maybe this will be the premier of that new piece for Yo-Yo... maybe!

Very good chance.  

[Muad'Dib 1,882]

Any idea when they might put the tickets up for sale?

[BB-8 4,148]

April 3 2025: John Williams, conductor and curator

April 4 2025: John Williams, curator

 

Yo-Yo Ma, Williams & Dudamel | Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com)

 

[Bayesian 1,448]

On 16/10/2024 at 2:27 AM, BB-8 said:

April 3 2025: John Williams, conductor and curator

April 4 2025: John Williams, curator

 

Yo-Yo Ma, Williams & Dudamel | Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com)

 

I missed seeing this post until now. As regards JW's health, I feel this should be seen as good news -- I can't imagine he would want to pencil in concert dates unless he felt he was going to be able to make them.

[Concert Attendee 0]

I was curious about this concert.  John Williams is listed as curator for April 3, 4, 5, and 6th concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

 

Does this mean that Gustavo Dudamel will definitely be conducting the entirety of all four concerts and John Williams at best, might guest conduct an encore performance if he is feeling up to it, and potentially introduce a new work during the Yo-Yo-Ma concerts?  

I have an opportunity to attend one of these nights, but unsure which would be the best to attend, and (not to sound like a prude) but if it would even be worth the cost of flight/hotel to attend and potentially John Williams not even being present.  If you were all betting people, what would you wager would be John Williams involvement on any of these dates/performances?

[Toillion 277]

14 minutes ago, Concert Attendee said:

I was curious about this concert.  John Williams is listed as curator for April 3, 4, 5, and 6th concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

 

Does this mean that Gustavo Dudamel will definitely be conducting the entirety of all four concerts and John Williams at best, might guest conduct an encore performance if he is feeling up to it, and potentially introduce a new work during the Yo-Yo-Ma concerts?  

I have an opportunity to attend one of these nights, but unsure which would be the best to attend, and (not to sound like a prude) but if it would even be worth the cost of flight/hotel to attend and potentially John Williams not even being present.  If you were all betting people, what would you wager would be John Williams involvement on any of these dates/performances?

 

 

He is still listed as the conductor for the April 3rd concert, which is promising. I’m not sure if there’s been an update on his health, but he’s had to back out of several concerts over the past few months. I don’t think he’s conducted a show since early spring. If he’s feeling better, I’d guess he might conduct an encore or a new piece on April 3rd. For the other shows, he might just attend as part of the audience for recognition. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a surprise encore at the other performances too.

 

[Marian Schedenig 9,387]

13 minutes ago, Toillion said:

He is still listed as the conductor for the April 3rd concert, which is promising. I’m not sure if there’s been an update on his health, but he’s had to back out of several concerts over the past few months. I don’t think he’s conducted a show since early spring. If he’s feeling better, I’d guess he might conduct an encore or a new piece on April 3rd. For the other shows, he might just attend as part of the audience for recognition. Of course, there’s always the possibility of a surprise encore at the other performances too.

 

He's also still listed as the conductor for the Berlin concerts next June, which iirc go on sale in January… I'm beginning to wonder if we'll get any update on his situation before that sale starts.

 

38 minutes ago, Concert Attendee said:

I have an opportunity to attend one of these nights, but unsure which would be the best to attend, and (not to sound like a prude) but if it would even be worth the cost of flight/hotel to attend and potentially John Williams not even being present.  If you were all betting people, what would you wager would be John Williams involvement on any of these dates/performances?

 

Considering your many doubts, your user name seems suspiciously decisive.

[Jurassic Shark 13,741]

It just means he's attended at least one concert. 

[Smeltington 1,631]

1 hour ago, Marian Schedenig said:

He's also still listed as the conductor for the Berlin concerts next June, which iirc go on sale in January… I'm beginning to wonder if we'll get any update on his situation before that sale starts.

 

 

This will be interesting to see. I'm also starting to wonder what they'll do about Film Night at Tanglewood, which is usually announced in early February.

[Mr. Hooper 3,750]

6 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

He's also still listed as the conductor for the Berlin concerts next June, which iirc go on sale in January… I'm beginning to wonder if we'll get any update on his situation before that sale starts.

If the tickets for Berlin go on sale with Williams still listed as the conductor, I have to believe that it's because he's feeling confident enough about attending.

 

At least, that's what I'd need to believe after buying one, and reserving a flight and hotel.

[micah 3]

10 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

If the tickets for Berlin go on sale with Williams still listed as the conductor, I have to believe that it's because he's feeling confident enough about attending.

 

At least, that's what I'd need to believe after buying one, and reserving a flight and hotel.

Can only hope so after booking a ticket and flights from Australia. 

[Smeltington 1,631]

10 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

If the tickets for Berlin go on sale with Williams still listed as the conductor, I have to believe that it's because he's feeling confident enough about attending.

 

Yeah, it would be a good sign. Still, you have to be prepared for the possibility that he won't be able to be there, although that's pretty much been true for a long time already.

[Tom 5,230]

19 hours ago, Jurassic Shark said:

It just means he's attended at least one concert. 

Actually, just one.  Otherwise it would be Concerts Attendee.  

[Pawel P. 746]

Sound the Bells!
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra

 

Intermission

 

Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Three Selections from Indiana Jones­
“Princess Leia’s Theme” from Star Wars: A New Hope
“Adventures on Earth” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

 

https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3103/2025-04-03/yo-yo-ma-williams-dudamel

 

 

A fairly standard program, except for the "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra". The encore will probably be "Yoda" and "Vader". Dudamel will probably conduct the first part.

 

The most important thing is that it confirms that the maestro seems to be getting better  

 

Berlin becomes a bit more likely! 

[JohnnyD 1,369]

Excellent news.

[Tom 5,230]

I would guess the encores will include SL or cello or the trio version that features Ma.  The cello/violin Duel might happen too, if Ma is willing to come back out for such things.  

 

If I were running the show, I would do this never performed gem:

 

 

[Once 720]

2 hours ago, Pawel P. said:

Sound the Bells!
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra

 

Intermission

 

Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Three Selections from Indiana Jones­
“Princess Leia’s Theme” from Star Wars: A New Hope
“Adventures on Earth” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

 

https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3103/2025-04-03/yo-yo-ma-williams-dudamel

 

 

A fairly standard program, except for the "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra". The encore will probably be "Yoda" and "Vader". Dudamel will probably conduct the first part.

 

The most important thing is that it confirms that the maestro seems to be getting better  

 

Berlin becomes a bit more likely! 

Very promising that Williams is listed as conductor!

[Miguel Andrade 1,400]

59 minutes ago, Tom said:

I would guess the encores will include SL or cello or the trio version that features Ma.  The cello/violin Duel might happen too, if Ma is willing to come back out for such things.  

 

If I were running the show, I would do this never performed gem:

 

 

 

Ma has been doing excerpts from the Three Pieces for Solo Cello (usually Pickin', but occasionally Rosewood too) every time he plays the Concerto. Doesn't mean he won't do Schindler instead, just saying what has been the most common choice.

[ZackR 102]

Fingers crossed Williams is actually able to be there/conduct. Seeing him conduct is a bucket list item of mine and I have tickets for my daughter and me! So excited.

[Mr. Hooper 3,750]

For what it's worth, Ma played SL as the encore after the Concerto at Carnegie Hall last year.

[BB-8 4,148]

9 hours ago, Once said:

Very promising that Williams is listed as conductor!

But only for the April 3rd gig...

[Miguel Andrade 1,400]

6 hours ago, Mr. Hooper said:

For what it's worth, Ma played SL as the encore after the Concerto at Carnegie Hall last year.

 

Ah, great. Didn't remember that one.

[KVDD 0]

18 hours ago, ZackR said:

Fingers crossed Williams is actually able to be there/conduct. Seeing him conduct is a bucket list item of mine and I have tickets for my daughter and me! So excited.

Bucket list for me too! But I was to late for tickets sadly. Any idea if LA Phil tickets go on resale elsewhere? I’ve never been, but would make the trip down for this.