John Malveaux: "The Sept. 2, 2021 LA Phil performance at the Hollywood Bowl conducted by Thomas Wilkins was both a misstep and forward step."

Aaron Diehl

Julia Bullock

John Malveaux of MusicUNTOLD.com writes:

The Sept. 2, 2021 LA Phil performance at the Hollywood Bowl conducted by Thomas Wilkins was both a misstep and forward step. After the opening brief piece, Overture to Theater Set, by African American composer Ulysses Kay, pianist Aaron Diehl came on stage to perform Variations on I Got Rhythm by Gershwin. Shortly after the start of the piece, Aaron Diehl suddenly stopped and was escorted off stage by Thomas Wilkins  During a previous performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the power went out shortly after Aaron Diehl began a performance of a different Gershwin piece.  After a pause, Diehl left the stage but the power was restored, Diehl returned and accomplished a standing ovation. However, this time, he did not return and the audience was never given an explanation. My assumption was sudden illness.

Soprano Julia Bullock brought calm to the Bowl with a delightful voice and beautiful attire singing poetic songs by George Gershwin and African American composer Margaret Bonds. The second half opened with William Grant Still's little known Singing River and concluded with an arrangement of George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess: A Symphonic Picture.  The program ended early due to the undefined circumstances of Aaron Diehl without explanation. See photo 1 Aaron Diehl, photo 2 Julia Bullock