Disney Hall: Prayers Answered?

Cutting short a trip to Italy, I flew back to L.A. in time to attend Disney Hall's inaugural concert. I've been told that a number of heavy-hitters chose to leave Los Angeles rather than admit they weren't able to obtain a ticket. Getting a seat for the gala opening was near impossible. I knew I was lucky.

And for the first time in my experience of a Frank Gehry building, I find that the promise and energy of its exterior is sustained and fulfilled when I step inside. Various lobbies are blowing every which way, not so much leading to the auditorium as, like a Siren's song, luring and sucking you in. And there, in the auditorium, Frank Gehry outdid himself. It's all at once grand and intimate, regal but friendly. But in the end, what's important is whether Disney Hall delivers the magic of communion between the audience and the great gods of music. And it does based on my experience of the two concerts that I attended so far.

"The Rite of Spring" marched in. The exhilarating, dangerous spirit of the Russian revolution embodied by this music, and spectacularly performed by the L.A. Philharmonic, threatened to blow apart the orderly world of the mighty and powerful gathered in Disney Hall for this special occasion. Seemingly disorderly and full of dissonance and longing, this music was both haunting and beautiful, not unlike the building that Frank Gehry designed for us.

Food for thought almost a quarter century ago, Gehry was invited to design the groundbreaking exhibition of Russian avant-garde art at LACMA. Hmm, these Russian connections, perhaps I should explore them further.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Los Angeles Music Center

135 North Grand Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

General Information (213) 972-7211

MusicCenter.org

"Frank O. Gehry Works In Progress"

September 7, 2003 - January 26, 2004

MOCA at California Plaza

250 South Grand Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

General Information (213) 626-6222

MOCA.org