For music‑and‑fireworks lovers alike, the 2025 Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl delivered a night to remember — combining lush orchestral music, dazzling ballet, and an explosive pyrotechnic finale under a summer sky. With charismatic maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto on the podium and the San Francisco Ballet dancing alongside the LA Phil, the evening was equal parts elegance and exhilaration .
Maestro Prieto: A commanding, affable presence
Heralded as an “energetic composer” by critics, Mexican‑born conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto has quickly emerged as a favorite at the Bowl. In 2024 he led the LA Phil in Ballet Folklórico; this year, his return to the Tchaikovsky staple was met with acclaim. The program was an all‑Tchaikovsky evening that balanced emotional subtlety with powerful force — the perfect setting for his engaging and approachable style .
A night in three parts: Capriccio, Ballet excerpts, and the grand Finale
The musical program opened with Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 — a vibrant orchestral portrait of Italy. Prieto’s assured tempo and polished phrasing made it a spirited curtain‑raiser full of Mediterranean color .
Act I then shifted to three iconic excerpts from Swan Lake, featuring principal dancers from the San Francisco Ballet. The White Swan Pas de Deux (Act II) brought vulnerable lyricism from Jasmine Jimison and Joseph Walsh, followed by the dramatic rigor of Black Swan (Act III) performed by Wona Park and Wei Wang. The Dance of the Little Swans rounded out the suite: four cygnets gliding in perfect synchronization, their interlocked arms creating waves of grace as the LA Phil supported their every step with breath‑like sound .
After a brief intermission, the company turned to Balanchine’s Diamonds Pas de Deux, danced by Sasha de Sola and Harrison James. De Sola, interviewed before the performance, spoke of the piece’s regal origins, the interplay of music and dance, and the challenges of performing outdoors before nearly 17,000 people. She described the music of Diamonds as “rooted in the grandeur of Mariinsky Russian ballet”, and echoed how music informs every nuance of the partner work .
The explosive finale: 1812 Overture, USC Band, and fireworks
The evening reached its peak with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, accompanied by the USC Trojan Marching Band and a breathtaking fireworks show. As the cannon‑like brass and percussion thundered, the pyrotechnics lit the sky in precise tandem with musical climaxes. The synchronization was flawless — bursts of light echoing every musical high, every cannon shot, closing the night with visceral impact .
Critics praised the fireworks as “impeccably timed” so as not to drown out the music — a feat of both design and technical execution. One reviewer noted that “we didn’t miss too much of the music” despite the sensory spectacle unfolding overhead .
Audience experience: music, dance, and fireworks under the stars
For attendees, the experience was multi‑layered: an outdoor amphitheater filled with summer air, the floating interplay of orchestra and ballet dancers, and finally fireworks rippling across the night sky. Many audience members remarked on the rare alignment of artistic disciplines — where classical music, ballet, and pyrotechnics came together in one cohesive narrative .
One patron on Yelp described it simply: “The performance was absolutely stunning and the Orchestra was so talented. To top it off the fire …” before trailing off — the ellipsis perhaps the only way to capture the sensation .
Why it matters: tradition, innovation, and collaboration
The Tchaikovsky Spectacular is an annual tradition of the LA Phil dating back to its first staging in 1969 under Zubin Mehta, but each year brings something new. With Prieto’s return and the inclusion of San Francisco Ballet — a company infrequently seen in Southern California — the 2025 edition felt fresh without losing its core identity .
Moreover, this convergence of cross‑city ensembles reflects a growing momentum. Under San Francisco Ballet’s new artistic director Tamara Rojo, their presence in LA this summer — and upcoming October staging of Frankenstein in Orange County — hints at increased regional collaboration and shared audiences .
Final Thoughts
The Hollywood Bowl’s Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks delivered exactly what its name promises — spectacular Tchaikovsky framed by ballet and capped by fireworks — but under the baton of Carlos Miguel Prieto, it elevated the event into something deeply musical and surprisingly theatrical. From Capriccio Italien to Swan Lake, from Diamonds to the climactic 1812 Overture, the synergy of live dance, orchestral precision, and pyrotechnic artistry made it both a tradition renewed and an experience wholly new. For lovers of music, dance, or fireworks, it was a night that truly blew minds.
For more information visit the Hollywood Bowl.
