As Los Angeles prepares to play New England in Sunday's big football game, we're reminded of their great orchestras, the L.A. Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Which ensemble is better? Listen, and then vote in our poll to see who wins this musical showdown. Our giveaway of a recording by the winner is now closed.
Matchups
Listen to these musical matchups and then vote in the poll below to see who's winning. (Note: Some recordings feature the Boston Pops, an offshoot of the Boston Symphony Orchestra with many of the same musicians, to provide the same musical excerpt.)
1st quarter
Who played it better: Prelude from Also Sprach Zarathustra, by Richard Strauss?
LISTEN Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta
LISTEN Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William Steinberg
2nd quarter
Who played it better: Candide Overture, by Leonard Bernstein?
LISTEN Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein
LISTEN Boston Pops, conducted by Arthur Fiedler
3rd quarter
Who played it better: second movement of Emperor Piano Concerto, by Ludwig van Beethoven?
LISTEN Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta; Alicia de Larrocha, piano
LISTEN Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa; Christopher Eschenbach, piano
4th quarter
Who played it better: The Nutcracker Overture, by Peter Tchaikovsky?
LISTEN Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
LISTEN Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa
Overtime
Who played it better: Main Title from Star Wars, by John Williams?
LISTEN Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Zubin Mehta
LISTEN Boston Pops, conducted by John Williams
As of 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, the Boston Symphony Orchestra won our showdown — just as New England won the big game — with 58 percent of the vote!
We gave away a recording by the orchestra that emerged victorious in our super showdown between Los Angeles and Boston, and it was the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A winner was drawn at random and given a choice of recordings. The giveaway is now closed.
Love the music?
Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.
Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.
YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.
