Disclaimer: This work was for a class project at USC Annenberg School for Journalism and Communication. In no way am I or this work affiliated with the LA Phil or Walt Disney Concert Hall.
LA Phil’s 20th Anniversary at Walt Disney Concert Hall
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20 years of the LA Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall
By: LA Phil
April 23, 2024
Over the past two decades, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the La Philharmonic captured the eyes, ears and hearts of citizens all around the world. After 20 years of music, art and beauty, the Walt Disney Concert Hall continues to be a centerpiece of Los Angeles Culture and a remarkable home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
Originally designed by Architect Frank Gehry, it saw its grand opening in October of 2003, after 16 years of construction. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is a visually stunning LA landmark known for its stainless-steel curves, its unmistakable exterior and of course, its internationally-renown orchestra, led by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel. Although much is known about both, there are some key facts that only some are privy to.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
“Liquid architecture. It’s like jazz, you improvise, you work together, you play off each other, you make something, they make something”
– Frank Gehry
Each panel is unique
Frank Gehry’s innovative and unique approach to design, which combined elegant structure and deconstructivist style. When constructing the concert venue, each panel was customized with a distinct size and designed by Gehry’s team using CATIA CAD/AM, a French 3D-modeling software.
Audio amplification is unnecessary for The Hall.
Speakers are not utilized at The Walt Disney Concert Hall, as its walls are clad with 133,000 square feet of Douglas fir acoustic paneling, providing the space with optimal sound reflection. When designing, Gehry worked alongside acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota to custom design every corner of the hall.
Los Angeles Philharmonic
About 165 LA Phil performances per season.
The LA Phil hosts festivals, artist residencies, and other thematic programs designed to enhance their audience’s experience and delve further into artists’ or composers’ work. Composer and conductor John Adams, the John and Samantha Williams Creative Chair, appointed by Gustavo Dudamel in 2009 assists with the LA Phil’s trailblazing programming.
Multiple homes
While the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the LA Phil’s winter home, its summer home is the Hollywood Bowl — One of the largest outdoor amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000.
These are just a few of both the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the LA Philharmonic’s compelling facts. Visit both for the 20th anniversary today to learn more about the history behind these historic LA entities!