“A beautiful hurricane of energy” – Gustavo Dudamel in conversation with Sarah Willis (20 min.)

In Berliner Philharmoniker concerts in autumn 2018, Gustavo Dudamel conducted works by Leonard Bernstein plus symphonies by Gustav Mahler and Dmitri Shostakovich: music that was also on the programme of a subsequent joint Asia tour. The performances marked not only the 100th anniversary of Bernstein’s birth, but also the 10th anniversary of the collaboration between the Venezuelan conductor and the Philharmoniker. In conversation with horn player Sarah Willis, a member of the orchestra since 2001, Dudamel remembers his apprenticeship with Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle and his feelings during his debut with the Philharmoniker. He also explains why he sees a successful interpretation as a process of mutual “give and take” between conductor and orchestra.