Gustavo Dudamel first visited New York at 14.

He jumped on the giant keyboard at FAO Schwarz.

Three decades later, he came back.

He is now music director of the New York Philharmonic.

He is 45 now.

He started last week.

Before that, he led the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 17 seasons.

He is the 27th man to lead the New York orchestra.

Dudamel grew up in Venezuela.

He was in the El Sistema music program.

In 1995, he played violin at the United Nations.

He played with the National Children's Symphony of Venezuela.

He saw the Twin Towers and the Statue of Liberty.

Then people took him to the toy store.

He said it felt like paradise.

His first concert was at Radio City Music Hall.

It was on Sept. 10.

Lizzo, St. Vincent, Joaquina and Aaron Tveit were there.

Host Liev Schreiber said Dudamel is hard to describe.

The next day, Dudamel played at a 9/11 event.

He said music cannot undo what happened.

But it can give sorrow a voice.

Subscription concerts began this week.

He conducted Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony.

He played it for his Philharmonic debut in 2007.

Oboist Sherry Sylar said his chemistry and passion are infectious.

Ticket money is up 8% from last year.

September seats sold are up 20%.

Dudamel has a five-year contract.

He will spend about 15 weeks with the orchestra each season.