The 2026-2027 season of BCN Clàssics will begin with an exceptional concert by Gustavo Dudamel with the New York Philharmonic and the Orfeó Català. It will take place on October 12 at L'Auditori. The concert is exceptional in three ways. Firstly, it marks a new collaboration between Dudamel and the Orfeó Català after the success of the Solemn Mass Beethoven in Los AngelesIn addition, the Venezuelan conductor, who is concluding his tenure with the Los Angeles Philharmonic this year, will lead the New York Philharmonic, of which he has been appointed artistic director. Finally, there is the program: On the transmigration of souls, by John Adams; the Symphony No. 5 by Sergei Prokofiev, and the state premiere of a work by Canadian composer Zosha Di Castri.

The BCN Clàssics season is progressing smoothly, cruising along at a steady pace. Its commitment to the great repertoire ensures a loyal audience; the soloists are top-notch, and the orchestral ensembles and their respective conductors are more or less equally impressive. Monday's concert reaffirmed this, with Slavic colors courtesy of Mussorgsky and Khachaturian, and two well-known works, amidst which we discovered something truly wonderful. Violin Concerto of Khatxaturian.

No, indeed, this isn't a critique. Or is it? Could it be, given the context of the honoree? Let's take it step by step.