Gustavo The Great

Bob Simon Profiles One Of The Biggest Stars In Classical Music, Gustavo Dudamel

(CBS)  The party continued in Gustavo’s dressing room with Daniel Barenboim, the celebrated conductor and piano virtuoso and one of Gustavo’s most important mentors. Barenboim had advice for his protégé: "Give it up. Become a shoemaker, a carpenter, a plumber. But don’t conduct."

Asked if he was nervous for him, Barenboim tells Simon, "No. No. He knows what he’s doing. He knows what he wants. And he knows how to get it. What more can you say? I hope America doesn’t spoil him."

Spoil him? In a place like Hollywood? Not a chance.

The L.A. Philharmonic's board of directors threw a welcome party for the Dudamels in a house that could have been a theme park for the super-rich and super-cool.

"We’re a long way from Barquisimeto. Hum?" Simon asks.

"Long way, but wonderful way," Dudamel replies.

Barquisimeto, Venezuela, is 3,500 miles and several worlds away from Los Angeles.That's where Gustavo was born and raised. His father played trombone in a salsa band.

Dudamel says he "absolutely" considered playing the trombone. "But my arm was too short, you know? It was very sad because and then I start to study violin. Crazy," he says.

Gustavo was still studying the violin when 60 Minutes first met him 8 years ago. But he was beginning to switch to conducting. He was a little nervous, he admits, but he had a steady hand.

He was in a music program, which is a Venezuelan innovation. It is called El Sistema, the system, and it takes children - a quarter of a million children - almost all from poor neighborhoods, and teaches them how to play instruments.

This has led to hundreds of youth orchestras sprouting up all over the country.

But El Sistema is less a music program than a profound social movement that takes kids off the streets, takes them away from crime and drugs and despair.

"The music saved me. I'm sure of this. With all these bad things around you, you are exposed to these things, very close. The music give me a way to be far of these things," Dudamel says.

Gustavo and Eloisa go back to Venezuela whenever they can these days.

But when he’s in his hometown of Barquisimeto, where does he hang out? With one of the orchestra’s he’s been conducting for the last decade.

Here was the conducting animal, back in his natural habitat, the Venezuelan system of youth orchestras.

The best musicians from the system make up the Simon Bolivar National Youth Orchestra. They were preparing for their first American tour. They’re all under 25 years old.

[jm-business]

Wow! Mr Dudamel is pure passion! This is an inspiring story. Great pick 60 Minutes!

[icon-o-guy]

I think he's great for bringing new folks to classical. He has star qualities.

[etmcdo]

you heard it here first???? where were you when chicagoens had the pleasure of hearing him months ago

[nirak2-2009]

So do I aadowning.
He is incredible and a great talent and on top of that,he is modest which makes him even more likeable.
I am not even into that kind of music, but watching him gets you interested.

[aadowning]

What an awesome segment. Mr Dudamel also conducts the GSO,Gothenburg Symphony in Sweden where he has taken over the city. My daughter is a bass player in that orchestra and she thinks he is fantastic.

[aadowning]

What an awesome segment. Mr Dudamel also conducts the GSO,Gothenburg Symphony in Sweden where he has taken over the city. My daughter is a bass player in that orchestra and she thinks he is fantastic.

[amlapb]

I had the pleasure,to see the last minutes of the show,to see tremendous display of love for the Art of Music, it can only be compared with the Master of yesteryears, take in to account the young age of this man, the future will be His Throne,being a Poet myself currently working at the Conservatory of Music in Canada for many years,never have I ever seeing such
passion since Amadeus. ( Mozart)...I give a nine out of ten...time will be the essence of His greatness...Humbleness...will bring a Crown

[aperez56]

This story must be shared with all Latinos living in the US and I would like to offer my website as a vehicle for CBS to do just that. Bravo Gustavo! Bravo 60 Minutes!

[aperez56]

This story must be shared with all Latinos living in the US and I would like to offer my website as a vehicle for CBS to do just that. Bravo Gustavo! Bravo 60 Minutes!

[aperez56]

At last, a segment about Latinos without illegal, gangs or drugs as the main focus. Your piece was very inspirational and I would like to offer my website at calmagazine.com to share it with the millions of Latinos living in the US. Bravo Gustavo! Bravo 60 Minutes!

[aperez56]

At last, a segment about Latinos without illegal, gangs or drugs as the main focus. Your piece was very inspirational and I would like to offer my website at calmagazine.com to share it with the millions of Latinos living in the US. Bravo Gustavo! Bravo 60 Minutes!

[alfredo27-2009]

Hi Gustavo
I remember when you began as a director of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Venezuela. I am very proud to see how from the violin, you were given the opportunity to show how great your evolution was into an amazing director; we all trusted in you. As a Physician, it was great to colaborate with all of you and get involved in local and international events. Awesome representation of the excellent professionals Venezuela has. Good luck now here in the USA; a beutiful country with tons of opportunities for people like you.
Dr. Alfredo Navarro
Michigan, USA

[partypoet]

Hi, CCWard 4 - the music that Dudamel was conducting at the end of the segment was the Dance sequence from West Side Story.

[vegasboomer]

I''ve just posted that segment on my Vegas music blog. This kid is totally inspiring. See

http://santafeandthefatcityhorns.blogspot.com

While our genre is soul, salsa, jazz music, we support the musical arts in all of their forms (well, maybe not gangsta rap).

Gustavo, BRAVO, young man!

[rileyu-2009]

Jessorr, the violin duet you are referring can be found on iTunes under the title:

Scent of a Woman, Tango (Por Una Cabeza) - performed by Itzhak Perlman

[rileyu-2009]

Jessorr, the violin duet you are referring can be found on iTunes under the title:

Scent of a Woman, Tango (Por Una Cabeza) - performed by Itzhak Perlman

[High Desert Charlie]

I cried "Tears of Joy", as I viewed the segment on 60 Minutes highlighting Mr. Gustavo Dudamel.

Director Dudamel has accomplished something that very few have in the past 30 years. He has taken me back to remember and appreciate the role that music played for me as a young man. It was through music, and more specifically the kind of music performed by Director Dudamel, that I realized the beauty that is available for all of mankind. Not the kind of beauty that is usually reserved only for the privileged, but instead the kind of emotion, rage, joy and evocative power that can only be realized from learning, hearing, and performing awe inspiring music.

At the age of 26, Director Dudamel is setting a wonderful example for the rest of the music world. His practice of taking young children off of the streets and sitting them down with an instrument will change all of their lives forever. By changing their lives through music and teaching them the beauty that is there for all of us to enjoy and appreciate, he also changes generations of children to follow. Thank God for Gustavo Dudamel.

As an alumni of the American Youth Symphony and Chorus (1971), well performed orchestral music has always been my secret mistress. I will really look forward to stepping out for a night with Gustavo Dudamel and his LA Symphony in 2009.

I hope you can add this to what I''m certain will be many accolades for Gustavo. Cheers, and best wishes for continued success.

Warmest Regards

Charles Sheets

[slantz2-2009]

Bravo Gustavo! We need a generation of Gustavo''s who care about and believe in our youth - who expect excellence in all areas.

I attended a high school play this week that was filled with bathroom and food humor only a twelve year could find amusing. I was embarrassed and hurt for these young people, who have so much to give and from whom so little is expected.

[ccward4]

Would someone please tell me the name of the Bernstein piece being performed at the end of the segment?

Thanks

[sharingpeace]

I had the biggest smile and feeling of awe, watching this amazing young man ~ truly an angel has come to L.A. to inspire and invigorate... thank you SO MUCH for introducing us to him!!!