March 16, 2004 Concert Review: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra A new start is born: Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel By Omer Shomrony (The Jerusalem Post -Tel Aviv) - "A new star is born, and his name is Gustavo Dudamel. At only 25 years of age, this young Venezuelan conductor gave one of the most unforgettable performances Mann Auditorium has seen in years.

It has been a very long time since I found myself so deeply and profoundly moved by any musician as I was by this one.

He gave a mesmerizing reading of Mahler's Fifth symphony. Everything was there: an electrifying musical tension, a sweeping energy, and a technical mastery of the highest order. With a body language that immediately brings to mind the late legendary Leonard Bernstein, Dudamel made the players
perform like demons.

At times, it almost seemed they were on speed; so energetic was their playing. And with almost no reduction of tension throughout the entire huge piece, Dudamel proved that age has nothing to do with musical maturity.

It was heart-warming to realize I was not the only one left breathless by this young master. Immediately after the last note, the entire audience gave Dudamel a standing ovation of a magnitude that made the ceiling shake (...)

Gustavo Dudamel remained the hero of the night. The IPO should do anything required to make this talent a frequent guest".