LA Phil: Kwamé Ryan Leads Adams & Copland

Kwamé Ryan steps onto the Walt Disney Concert Hall podium on Sunday, October 4, for his first concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It's a Sunday matinee, and the listing has it running from 2pm to about 4pm. Among the classical concerts in Los Angeles this fall, this one has the most fun program shape: it opens loud and fast and closes with one of the biggest American symphonies there is.

The program

The afternoon starts with John Adams' Short Ride in a Fast Machine. It's about four minutes long. A woodblock ticks away under the whole orchestra while the brass keeps pushing the tempo, and it's over before you've settled into your seat.

Next up is Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola. Two of the orchestra's own players take the solo parts: Acting Concertmaster Bing Wang and Principal Viola Ben Ullery. Hearing section leaders step out front is one of the small pleasures of a home-orchestra concert, and the viola gets real melodies here instead of filling in the middle.

The second half is Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3, written during the last years of World War II. Its finale grows out of his Fanfare for the Common Man, so even if you've never heard the symphony, you'll recognize that brass line. Leonard Bernstein called the piece an American monument, and he meant it literally, putting it next to the Lincoln Memorial.

A program change to know about

The LA Phil's listing says Yuja Wang, who had been announced for this date, can't appear because of a scheduling conflict. The orchestra says details about the updated program are still coming. If a specific piece is the reason you're buying, check the LA Phil's site close to the date. Questions go to Audience Services at information@laphil.org.

Practical info

When: Sunday, October 4, 2026, listed as 2pm to 4pm Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Avenue, downtown Los Angeles Price: Not published on the source listing. Check the Discover Los Angeles events calendar and the LA Phil's own box office for current seats.

The hall's underground garage fills up before matinees, so plan to arrive early or take Metro. The Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill station on the Regional Connector sits a short walk from the front steps. Weekend traffic downtown is lighter than a weeknight, but the 110 still backs up near the 4th Street exit.

Got time before the downbeat? The rooftop garden behind the hall is open to the public and it's a good spot to kill 20 minutes. For more LA concerts, browse our concerts page, or see what else is on in downtown.