Listen to the Music

For the first time in years, state money is flowing to public schools for the teaching of music, just as the Los Angeles Philharmonic hires a new conductor who is a poster boy for music education developed in Venezuela.  Gustavo Dudamel became director of Venezuela's National Youth Orchestra when he was 17.   He's won the Gustav Mahler conducting competition in Germany, and conducted Mozart's Don Giovanni at La Scala.  When Esa-Pekka Salonen steps down as music director of the LA Philharmonic at the end of next season, Dudamel will be his successor.  Salonen took over when he was 34.  Dudamel is now 26.  We hear about Dudamel and a possible turnaround for creative arts in California schools.