PHOTOS: Gustavo Dudamels learning curve
![Gustavo Dudamel enjoys a light moment during a short fine-tuning session with the Swedish Gothenburg Symphony on May 29, 2009, just before the evening performance.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3417b84/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x384+0+0/resize/586x384!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F75%2Fc1%2F89a324e9b520d4e3b2c23885fdcf%2Fla-et-dudamel01-kkflwknc.jpg)
Gustavo Dudamel enjoys a light moment during a short fine-tuning session with the Swedish Gothenburg Symphony on May 29, 2009, just before the evening performance. (Anna Hult / For The Times)
![dudamel](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62185f4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x359+0+0/resize/586x359!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc8%2F6d%2F1becacc5a1f3825d1c7770a21393%2Fla-et-dudamel02-kkfm34nc.jpg)
Gustavo Dudamel works with violinist Christer Thorvaldsson during rehearsal. After a spectacular final matinee performance, Thorvaldsson, a member of the ensemble for 36 years and something of a legend in Swedish orchestral circles, announced that Dudamel was the finest conductor he had ever worked with. (Anna Hult / For The Times)
![Gustavo Dudamel](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3468943/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x363+0+0/resize/586x363!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbd%2F6e%2Ff6acbb86ac4b2daa5a6ed11e5151%2Fla-et-dudamel03-kkfm0snc.jpg)
Dudamel, the 28-year-old incoming music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was ending his second season as the Gothenburg Symphony’s music director. (Anna Hult / For The Times)
![Gustavo Dudamel](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1bccf7f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x364+0+0/resize/586x364!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F12%2F2a%2Fb37d0399f9c15462125f70cc0d18%2Fla-et-dudamel04-kkfm0dnc.jpg)
Gustavo Dudamel dons his tuxedo before his performance with the Gothenburg Symphony on May 29, 2009. (Anna Hult / For The Times)
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Gustavo Dudamel conducts with his characteristic flourish. (Anna Hult / For The Times)
![Gustavo Dudamel](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c9ce567/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x435+0+0/resize/586x435!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F73%2Fa2%2F9f91092ff2549e607d0c39e94d77%2Fla-et-dudamel06-kkflxunc.jpg)
Conducting the Gothenburg Symphony gives Dudamel a chance to escape the usually harsh spotlight. (Anna Hult / For The Times)
![Gustavo Dudamel](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/008b6b9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x336+0+0/resize/586x336!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F20%2F68%2F54df9c99f012b5142d47310c59a1%2Fla-et-dudamel07-kkfm28nc.jpg)
Gustavo Dudamel leaves the stage with roses following a performance at the Gothenburg Concert Hall in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Anna Hult / For The Times)