To begin the new year, Gustavo Dudamel will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in three performances of Brahms’ First Symphony on Jan. 25, 26 and 28 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. These concerts will also include the world premiere of principal timpanist Joseph Pereira’s new LA Phil-commissioned work, “Threshold.”

LA Phil music director Gustavo Dudamel will lead the orchestra in three performances later this month. (photo courtesy of Mathew Imaging)

Following, on Feb. 1, 2, 3 and 4, Dudamel will return to Disney Concert Hall to conduct Bernstein’s “Mass.” Staged by director Elkhanah Pulitzer, this rarely performed and highly dramatic theater piece includes a huge cast of over 230 people, featuring singers, dancers, rock band, marching band and orchestra. For this sweeping summation of life and music, Leonard Bernstein himself wrote most of the lyrics, which lays bare the crisis of faith experienced by a priest celebrating mass.

Performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and UCLA Wind Ensemble are Ryan McKinny in the role of the Celebrant, as well as a talented cast of singers and dancers.

The performance is part of the LA Phil’s Bernstein 100 concerts, centennial celebrations of Bernstein which also includes the LA Phil’s performance of “Chichester Psalms,” conducted by Dudamel, in April 2018.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 S. Grand Ave. For information and tickets, visit LAPhil.com, or call (323)850-2000.