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June 23, 24, and 26
Alan Gilbert praises the work of New York Philharmonic Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence Magnus Lindberg, whose EXPO opened Mr. Gilbert's first season as Music Director and whose Al largo, his second Philharmonic commission, is being premiered on these concerts. Mr. Gilbert also discusses how he is preparing for these performances of Beethoven's Missa solemnis, a piece of great spirituality that is close to his heart.
Published on: June 15, 2010
June 17–19
Music Director Alan Gilbert discusses opening and closing the program with two contrasting but heartfelt works by Wagner — his Siegfried Idyll and his Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde — as well as the dazzling technical prowess Håkan Hardenberger brings to his performances of HK Gruber's Aerial, and Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller talks about what sets Mozart's striking Symphony No. 25 apart from the composer's earlier works.
Published on: June 14, 2010
June 10–12 and 15
Music Director Alan Gilbert and podcast host Mark Travis guide you through two works by Finnish conductors: Arena, a lush and rhythmically exciting tour de force written in 1995 by Magnus Lindberg, the Philharmonic's Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence, and the Violin Concerto by his great predecessor, Jean Sibelius. Mr. Travis also discusses the beauties of Brahms's Second Symphony, which Mr. Gilbert extols, calling it "sunny."
Published on: May 28, 2010
June 3–5
Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham talks about performing Chausson's lush and nostalgic Poème de l'amour et de la mer, Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses the powerful effect of the organ, played in these concerts by Philharmonic Organist Kent Tritle, in Saint-Saëns's famous Symphony No. 3, and podcast host Elliott Forrest explores Berlioz's popular concert piece, the Overture to Les Francs-juges.
Published on: May 26, 2010
May 27–29
Podcast host Mark Travis is your guide to Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre, a strange world populated by cartoon characters who may or may not be facing the end of time. He is joined by Music Director Alan Gilbert and director and designer Doug Fitch, who let you know what to expect to hear and see on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center when the Orchestra gives the opera's first-ever staged performances in New York.
Published on: May 7, 2010
May 12–15
New York Philharmonic Music Director Emeritus Kurt Masur reveals how we can catch a glimpse of Beethoven as a young, uncertain composer in his fascinating Symphony No. 1, and he discusses the influence that Wagner had on Bruckner and, in particular, on his masterful Symphony No. 7.
Published on: May 10, 2010
May 5–6
Podcast host Mark Travis describes how Igor Stravinsky's Symphony in C was written during a very troubled period in the composer's life, and guides listeners through the influences that can be heard in the light-hearted Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, which will feature pianist Denis Matsuev in his Philharmonic debut. Also, conductor Valery Gergiev remembers that his first exposure to Stravinsky's music was through one of the composer's early triumphs: his score to the ballet Petrushka, which concludes this program. Mr. Travis also discusses the Orchestra's plans for celebrating its 15,000th concert, on May 5, 2010.
Published on: April 29, 2010
May 7–8
Podcast host Elliott Forrest discusses Stravinsky's evocative wartime piece titled Symphony in Three Movements and talks about the Bach-like influences in the Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, featuring Alexei Volodin, and Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller explains why a riot broke out at the premiere of Stravinsky's controversial ballet, The Rite of Spring.
Published on: May 5, 2010
April 30 and May 1
Podcast host Elliott Forrest relays the tragic tale from mythology that inspired the ballet score for Orpheus, and Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses the powerful and monumental opera-oratorio Oedipus Rex.
Published on: April 28, 2010
April 28–29
Conductor Valery Gergiev explains how he hopes audiences will be enriched by the New York Philharmonic’s Russian Stravinsky festival and podcast host Mark Travis highlights the unusual Le Roi des étoiles and discusses the history and structure of the Violin Concerto. Mr. Gergiev also speaks about the irony in Oedipus Rex, while Mr. Travis recounts the story of this, one of the world’s most influential tragedies.
Published on: April 20, 2010
April 23–24
Conductor Valery Gergiev talks with Music Director Alan Gilbert about Stravinsky's Russian identity; podcast host Elliott Forrest explores the composer's playful Jeu de cartes (Game of Cards) and spiritual Symphony of Psalms, featuring the Chorus of the Mariinsky Theatre; and Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses Stravinsky's opulent and masterful orchestration of his ballet The Firebird.
Published on: April 19, 2010
April 21–22
Conductor Valery Gergiev explains why his three-week festival at the New York Philharmonic is titled The Russian Stravinsky and also expresses his enthusiasm for the "folkish" ballet-cantata Les Noces*; and podcast host Mark Travis gives a sampling of the spare and compelling Symphonies of Wind Instruments and looks at the story Stravinsky recounts in his score to The Firebird, the composer's breakthrough to fame.
* Les Noces has been replaced with Jeu de Cartes, which is featured in the April 23-24 podcast.
Published on: April 7, 2010
April 14–17
Podcast host Mark Travis guides you through Mozart's brilliant and energetic Symphony No. 34; Philharmonic Principal Cello Carter Brey discusses the life and influence of Boccherini, as well as the pleasures of that composer's sunny Cello Concerto in D major; and Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller sheds light on Schubert's not-that-very Tragic Symphony.
Published on: March 30, 2010
April 8–10
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses Mozart's charming Symphony No. 31, Paris; Bruch's use of traditional Scottish folk tunes in his Scottish Fantasy, featuring violinist Joshua Bell; and the inspiration behind Brahms's masterful Symphony No. 4.
Published on: March 30, 2010
March 27
This podcast is designed especially to acquaint young listeners with the themes and music of the March 27, 2010 Young People's Concert.
Published on: March 22, 2010
March 25–27
Podcast host Mark Travis converses with pianist/conductor Jeffrey Kahane about the rewards and challenges of conducting from the keyboard as well as the all-Mozart program he will perform with the New York Philharmonic: the charming and youthful Piano Concerto No. 6, the poignant Piano Concerto No. 24, and the masterful Piano Concerto No. 25.
Published on: March 11, 2010
March 18–20
Composer Matthias Pintscher discusses drawing inspiration from ancient mythology for his work towards Osiris; violinist Pinchas Zukerman talks about the haunting qualities of Berg's Violin Concerto; and conductor Christoph Eschenbach shares his thoughts about what Schoenberg's orchestration brings to Brahms's Piano Quartet No. 1.
Published on: March 10, 2010
March 10–13
Podcast host Mark Travis shares the history and highlights of Beethoven's famous Violin Concerto, in which Vadim Repin will join the Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller and English Horn Thomas Stacy shed light on the appeal of César Franck's Symphony in D minor.
Published on: February 19, 2010
March 4–8
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses Hindemith's powerful yet rarely performed Symphony in E-flat, and podcast host Elliott Forest offers a brief guide through Brahms's popular, ultra-Romantic Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring András Schiff.
Published on: February 18, 2010
March 6
This podcast is designed especially to acquaint young listeners with the themes and music of the March 6, 2010 Young People's Concert.
Published on: March 1, 2010
February 25–27
Conductor David Robertson explains the storytelling that lies behind this program, which includes two musical depictions of fairy tales: Ravel's enchanting Mother Goose Suite and Bartók's compelling The Wooden Prince. Mr. Robertson, podcast host Mark Travis, and Philharmonic Director of Education Theodore Wiprud share additional insights on the history and challenges of Barber's Violin Concerto, and Mr. Robertson explains why Gil Shaham is the ideal soloist for this work.
Published on: February 2, 2010
Special Video Podcast: Credit Suisse, Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic, spotlights the Orchestra’s EUROPE / WINTER 2010 tour.
Credit Suisse, Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic, spotlights Music Director Alan Gilbert and the Orchestra during their EUROPE / WINTER 2010 tour. Filmed in Barcelona and Zaragoza, Spain, the video documents the launch of the tour through performances by the Orchestra and interviews with Alan Gilbert, Philharmonic musicians, and Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta.
Published on: January 28, 2010
February 18–20
Pianist Nicolas Hodges discusses his favorite moment in Ravel's beautiful Concerto for the Left Hand, and conductor David Robertson talks about the dance theme of the concert as a whole, which includes George Benjamin's strikingly original Dance Figures, Debussy's evocative and one-time controversial Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and Ginastera's Dances from the Ballet Estancia, which ends the concerts on an energizing high note.
Published on: January 29, 2010
February 10–12 & 16
Music Director Alan Gilbert shares his passion for Mozart's Jupiter Symphony; his pleasure in showcasing soloists from the Philharmonic's wind section in Mozart's Sinfonia concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon; and his admiration for the work of composer Christopher Rouse, whose Odna Zhizn, a Philharmonic commission, is being premiered in these concerts. Also, host Mark Travis talks with Mr. Rouse about the "code" he created for the work, as well as for his commitment to writing music that is expressive.
Published on: January 20, 2010
January 14–16
Philharmonic Artist-in-Residence Thomas Hampson discusses the hauntingly beautiful text by Walt Whitman in John Adams's The Wound-Dresser, Director of Education Theodore Wiprud explores the dual nature of Haydn's Symphony No. 49, La passione; and Music Director Alan Gilbert explains the direct line he sees between the works of Schubert and Berg.
Published on: January 8, 2010
January 7, 8, and 12
Music Director Alan Gilberts talks about how Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony reflect different sides of Russian music, as well as pianist Yefim Bronfman’s astounding musicianship, and podcast host Mark Travis sheds light on the early history of these works.
Published on: December 23, 2009
December 29–30, 2009 & January 2, 2010
Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes talks about the contrasting emotions found in Mozart's extraordinary Piano Concerto No. 23; host Elliott Forrest looks at Webern's romantic-sounding Im Sommerwind (In the Summer Wind) and groundbreaking Symphony, Op. 21; and Music Director Alan Gilbert discusses the autobiographical elements in Schumann's beautiful Symphony No. 2, and why he chose to program the four works featured in these concerts.
Published on: December 22, 2009
December 15–19
Music Director Alan Gilbert talks about the timeless message of hope in Handel's masterwork, Messiah, and podcast host Mark Travis explores the work as a meditation on the salvation of humankind.
Published on: December 11, 2009
December 10–12
New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow talks about performing Mozart's emotionally complex Sinfonia concertante with Principal Viola Cynthia Phelps, and Director of Education Theodore Wiprud discusses the meaning behind the subtitle of Bruckner's popular Romantic Symphony.
Published on: December 9, 2009
December 12
This podcast is designed especially to acquaint young listeners with the themes and music of the December 12, 2009 Young People's Concert.
Published on: December 4, 2009
December 3–8
David Fray talks about the challenges of performing Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major, and New York Philharmonic Director of Education Theodore Wiprud discusses the Impressionist sensibilities of Debussy's La Mer and the completely original idea behind Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta.
Published on: December 2, 2009
November 27 and 28
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses Honegger's edgy but hopeful and beautifully crafted Symphony No. 2, and Director of Education Theodore Wiprud explains how Beethoven's revolutionary Eroica Symphony changed the course of classical music history.
Published on: November 20, 2009
November 19 and 24
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses the famous opening passage of Liszt’s beautiful and fascinating tone poem Les Préludes, and Mark Travis talks about Elgar’s romantic In the South and selections from Prokofiev’s passionate Romeo and Juliet.
Published on: November 13, 2009
In the first podcast of this two-part series (the second one will air in January), Music Director Alan Gilbert talks with host Mark Travis about the excitement of conducting on Opening Night, developing a unique sound with the Orchestra, the importance of touring, and the role he hopes the Philharmonic will play in the cultural life of his and the Orchestra's hometown, New York City.
Published on: November 4, 2009
November 12–17
Conductor Xian Zhang discusses why she finds Haydn's symphonies — including his Symphony No. 95 — the most challenging to perform; pianist Garrick Ohlsson reflects on Martinů's emotional Incantation, Piano Concerto No. 4; and Elliott Forrest looks at the musical influences behind Sibelius's stirring Symphony No. 1.
Published on: November 2, 2009
November 7
This special podcast is designed especially to acquaint young listeners with the themes and music of our November 7, 2009 Young People’s Concert, which features Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.
Published on: November 2, 2009
November 5–10
Baritone Thomas Hampson, the Philharmonic's Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence, talks about performing Zemlinsky's beautiful Lyric Symphony, which also features soprano Hillevi Martinpelto; Philharmonic Program Annotator James M. Keller discusses Mozart's masterful Symphony No. 38, Prague; and Mark Travis explores Beethoven's high-spirited Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus.
Published on: October 29, 2009
September 30–October 3
Alan Gilbert discusses the beauty and importance of Ives's Symphony No. 2, and why Ives's compelling Unanswered Question and Beethoven's groundbreaking Piano Concerto No. 4 – performed by pianist Emanuel Ax – are kindred spirits.
Published on: September 24, 2009
September 24–26
Alan Gilbert discusses leading his friend Frank Peter Zimmermann in Brahms's Violin Concerto — one of the greatest works in the repertoire — as well as conducting Schoenberg's beautiful and expressive tone poem Pelleas und Melisande.
Published on: September 17, 2009
September 17, 18, and 22
Alan Gilbert shares his excitement about conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 3 – featuring mezzo-soprano Petra Lang, the Women of the Westminster Symphonic Choir, and The American Boychoir – in his first subscription concerts as the Orchestra's Music Director, and he discusses what fueled Mahler's enormous ambitions as a composer.
Published on: September 16, 2009
September 16
Alan Gilbert — who begins his tenure as the Philharmonic's Music Director with this Opening Night Concert — talks about the unique sound he hopes to bring to the Orchestra this season; Composer-in-Residence Magnus Lindberg discusses the influences on his work, including EXPO, a World Premiere–New York Philharmonic Commission; and Elliott Forrest explores Berlioz's wildly evocative Symphonie fantastique and Messiaen's labor of love Poèmes pour Mi, featuring soprano Renée Fleming.
Published on: September 10, 2009
June 24–27
Lorin Maazel brings his tenure as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic to a grand finale with Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 8, featuring sopranos Christine Brewer, Nancy Gustafson, and Jeanine De Bique; mezzo-sopranos Mary Phillips and Nancy Maultsby; tenor Anthony Dean Griffey; bass Wolfgang Schöne; bass-baritone Jason Grant; the New York Choral Artists; The Dessoff Symphonic Choir; and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Mr. Maazel discusses how he struggled to understand Mahler's work – eventually becoming enamored of it – and Ms. Gustafson reflects on the message of the work: that the power of love will triumph over evil.
Published on: June 17, 2009
June 17–20
Lorin Maazel, in his penultimate concerts as Music Director, talks about leading the New York Philharmonic in Sibelius's uplifting Second Symphony, as well as two of his own works — the march-like Monaco Fanfares and the apocalyptic symphonic movement Farewells.
Published on: June 11, 2009
Special Video Podcast: Bach's Brandenburg Concertos
Bach's six Brandenburg Concertos are among the greatest works of the Baroque era. The Philharmonic performs the entire cycle throughout the 2008–09 season, with all 24 solos played by musicians from the Orchestra. Learn about what makes these concertos great.
Published on: September 19, 2008
June 11–13
Music Director Lorin Maazel talks about the message behind Britten's haunting War Requiem — with Lionel Bringuier conducting the chamber orchestra, and featuring soprano Nancy Gustafson, tenor Vale Rideout, baritone Ian Greenlaw, the New York Choral Artists, Dessoff Symphonic Choir, and Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Also, Ms. Gustafson discusses her emotional reaction when performing this work.
Published on: June 4, 2009
June 4–9
Principal Clarinet Stanley Drucker reflects on performing Copland's soulful Clarinet Concerto as he ends his unprecedented 60-year tenure with the Orchestra; Music Director Lorin Maazel discusses featuring Philharmonic musicians as soloists in J.S. Bach's warmhearted Fourth Brandenburg Concerto; Mark Travis explores Haydn's charming Trumpet Concerto, featuring Principal Trumpet Philip Smith; and Philharmonic Director of Education Theodore Wiprud describes what makes Ravel's Boléro the most dramatic piece in the orchestral repertoire.
Published on: May 28, 2009
May 14–16
Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen talks about how he went from disliking his fellow countryman, Sibelius, as a composer, to greatly admiring his work — including his masterful Symphony No. 5, in which David Zinman will lead the New York Philharmonic for the concerts of May 14–16.
Published on: May 7, 2009
May 7–9
Mark Travis explores the tortured origins of Mahler's Blumine and Symphony No. 1; Peter Lieberson discusses the diverse literary and spiritual inspirations behind his New York Philharmonic Commission The World in Flower; and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato expresses her excitement over joining baritone Russell Braun in the World Premiere of Lieberson's piece.
Published on: May 1, 2009
April 30–May 5
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller discusses Dvořák's tone poem The Golden Spinning Wheel and why Martinů's optimistic Symphony No. 4 is very much a work of our time, and Philharmonic Director of Education Theodore Wiprud reflects on what makes Saint-Saëns's pyrotechnic Third Violin Concerto an exciting vehicle for virtuoso Joshua Bell.
Published on: April 24, 2009
April 22–25
Mark Travis explores conductor Riccardo Muti's all-Italian program, which features Verdi's rarely heard Overture to Giovanna d'Arco and graceful Ballet of the Four Seasons, from Les Vêpres siciliennes; Puccini's gorgeous Preludio sinfonico; and Respighi's evocative tone poem Pines of Rome.
Published on: April 9, 2009
April 15–18
Matías Tarnopolsky, New York Philharmonic Vice President of Artistic Planning, expresses his excitement over virtuoso Mitsuko Uchida performing Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major – one of the masterpieces of the 20th century – and Theodore Wiprud, Philharmonic Director of Education, explains why, as a listener, he never wants Schubert's Great Symphony in C major to end.
Published on: April 3, 2009
April 2–4
New York Philharmonic Vice President of Artistic Planning Matías Tarnopolsky talks about Stravinsky's Bach-inspired Dumbarton Oaks Concerto in E-flat; Prokofiev's searching and mysterious Violin Concerto No. 2, featuring Lisa Batiashvili; and Tchaikovsky's momentous Symphony No. 5.
Published on: March 31, 2009
March 26-28
Conductor Nicholas McGegan discusses his upcoming all-Handel program with the New York Philharmonic, which features the composer's Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F major, soprano Christine Schäfer singing arias from three of his operas — Partenope, Alcina, and Giulio Cesare — the Concerto Grosso in C major, and Music for the Royal Fireworks.
Published on: March 20, 2009
March 18–21
Composer Avner Dorman discusses his exciting work Spices, Perfumes, Toxins! — which is receiving its U.S. premiere and features dynamic percussion duo PercaDu — and the Philharmonic's Vice President of Artistic Planning, Matías Tarnopolsky, talks about conductor Zubin Mehta's brilliant pairing of Dorman's work with Bartók's percussive masterpiece, Concerto for Orchestra.
Published on: March 6, 2009
March 13–14
Philharmonic oboe d'amorist Thomas Stacy discusses performing Telemann's virtuosic Concerto in A major under the baton of Music Director Lorin Maazel, Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow talks about the joys of playing Bruch's heart-melting Violin Concerto in G minor, and Elliott Forrest explores Mendelssohn's spirited Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mussorgsky's evocative Pictures at an Exhibition.
Published on: February 26, 2009
February 4–7, 2009
Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter discusses her love of Mendelssohn's passionate and enduringly popular Violin Concerto, and Elliott Forrest explores Mendelssohn's fiery Overture to Ruy Blas and mysterious Die erste Walpurgisnacht (The First Walpurgis Night).
Published on: January 27, 2009
January 29–31, 2009
Conductor Riccardo Muti discusses how Scriabin's own personality as well as his many influences can be heard in his masterful Symphony No. 2, and Matías Tarnopolsky, Vice President of Artistic Planning, expresses the Philharmonic's excitement over Radu Lupu performing Beethoven's pivotal Piano Concerto No. 3.
Published on: January 22, 2009
January 22–27, 2009
Bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff talks about performing arias from Haydn's Armida and L'anima del filosofo ossia Orfeo ed Euridice; Matías Tarnopolsky, Philharmonic Vice President of Artistic Planning, discusses why he is delighted that the concerts will open with Haydn's Symphony No. 89; and Mark Travis looks at Brahms's exquisite Serenade No. 1.
Published on: January 13, 2009
January 15–20, 2009
New York Philharmonic Director of Education Theodore Wiprud talks with Elliott Forrest about Oliver Knussen's colorful Violin Concerto, performed by Pinchas Zukerman, Mahler's emotional Symphony No. 5, and the return to the Philharmonic of the dynamic conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
Published on: January 12, 2009
January 8–10, 2009
Conductor Ludovic Morlot and pianist Olli Mustonen talk about the French-inspired program, which features the U.S. Premiere of Tristan Murail's Gondwana, Messiaen's ingenious Oiseaux exotiques, and Debussy's evocative La Mer, in addition to Mozart's joyous yet rarely performed Piano Concerto in F major.
Published on: January 5, 2009
January 2-6, 2009
James M. Keller, New York Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence, discusses the particular challenges of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, while Mark Travis explores Mussorgsky's masterpiece Pictures at an Exhibition as well as Szymanowski's Symphonie concertante and Richard Strauss's Burleske – both featuring piano virtuoso Emanuel Ax.
Published on: December 22, 2008
December 17-20, 2008
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller talks with Elliott Forrest about why Handel's 1741 masterpiece, Messiah, is an enduring favorite, and why audience members may leap to their feet during the work's glorious "Hallelujah" chorus.
Published on: December 11, 2008
December 11-12, 2008
New York Philharmonic Principal Horn Philip Myers explains why Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 2 is always a treat for concertgoers; Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller talks about the mysterious second movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3; Director of Education Theodore Wiprud reflects on Falla's passionate El amor brujo; and Mark Travis discusses how Prokofiev came to write his Piano Concerto No. 4 for left hand, performed in these concerts by Leon Fleisher.
Published on: December 9, 2008
December 4–13, 2008
Music Director Lorin Maazel talks about his incredible love for opera and how symphony orchestras love to wrestle with a great score like R. Strauss's Elektra, while Elliott Forrest explores the story behind the opera, based on the Greek tragedy by Sophocles.
Published on: November 18, 2008
December 8, 2008
Gilbert Kaplan discusses leading the New York Philharmonic in Mahler's Symphony No. 2, Resurrection — featuring soprano Christiane Oelze, mezzo-soprano Janina Baechle, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir — on the one-hundredth anniversary of the work's U.S. premiere, while Elliott Forrest explores the individual movements of the monumental work.
Published on: December 3, 2008
November 25–29, 2008
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller discusses the distinct personality of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 1; Music Director Lorin Maazel talks about how the Orchestra's season-long presentation of the Brandenburg Concertos spotlights the virtuosic talents of the Philharmonic's musicians; and Mark Travis explores Mozart's Turkish Violin Concerto, featuring Julia Fischer, and how Schumann's Symphony No. 4 rebounded from a disastrous premiere in 1841.
Published on: November 10, 2008
November 20–22, 2008
Cellist Alisa Weilerstein reflects on the dark language in Penderecki's gripping but accessible Second Cello Concerto; New York Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller talks about J.S. Bach's buoyant Sixth Brandenburg Concerto; and Mark Travis looks at Beethoven's immortal Symphony No. 5, which the Philharmonic performed in its first concert, in 1842.
Published on: October 30, 2008
November 12–15, 2008
Violinist Gil Shaham talks about the pleasure of performing Khachaturian's spectacular Violin Concerto, a piece he grew up listening to; Matías Tarnopolsky, the Philharmonic's Vice President of Artistic Planning, discusses Lyadov's tone poem Kikimora and Giya Kancheli's alluring Abii ne viderem; and Elliott Forrest explores Stravinsky's dramatic 1919 suite from his ballet score The Firebird.
Published on: October 30, 2008
November 5–8, 2008
Elliott Forrest explores Bruckner's powerful and dramatic Ninth Symphony, which the composer was working on up until his death, while music commentator Charles Zachary Bornstein discusses how Beethoven, emerging from Mozart's shadow, asserts his own originality in his Piano Concerto No. 1, performed in these concerts by pianist Lang Lang.
Published on: October 17, 2008
October 30, 31, and November 1, 2008
Conductor David Robertson returns to the New York Philharmonic to lead the Orchestra in works by four American composers: the ballet Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland; Of Rewaking, featuring mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, by Elliott Carter — who reflects on his composing habits as he approaches his 100th birthday; Symphony No. 1, Jeremiah, also featuring Ms. DeYoung, by Leonard Bernstein; and Rapture by Christopher Rouse — which, the composer explains, is the most blissful and ecstatic of his works.
Published on: October 14, 2008
October 23, 24, 25, and 28, 2008
New York Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller discusses Mozart's dazzling Symphony No 34 – the last of the composer's Salzburg symphonies; music commentator Charles Zachary Bornstein explores the folk elements in Bartók's melodic Second Violin Concerto, featuring Leonidas Kavakos; and host Elliott Forrest talks about Brahms's magnificent and moody Symphony No. 3.
Published on: October 3, 2008
October 16, 17, 18, and 21, 2008
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos leads the New York Philharmonic in two passionate and transporting Spanish masterworks: Albéniz's Suite española (featuring selections set to Frühbeck's own orchestrations), and Falla's opera La vida breve, presented here in a semi-staged version starring a dynamic international cast.
Published on: September 30, 2008
October 7 and 11, 2008
Conductor Marin Alsop discusses Bartók's adult fairy tale, The Wooden Prince Suite, Chopin's glorious Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring Rafał Blechacz in his New York Philharmonic debut, and Dvořák's evocative and always popular Symphony No. 9, From the New World, which was given its World Premiere by the Orchestra in 1893.
Published on: September 18, 2008
October 1-2, 2008
Special Video Podcast: Rands' CHAINS LIKE THE SEA
From nature to poetry, composer Bernard Rands finds inspiration all around him. Learn more about his muse and what to expect of his CHAINS LIKE THE SEA.
Published on: September 25, 2008
October 1-2, 2008
Composer Bernard Rands discusses his new work, a Philharmonic Commission titled CHAINS LIKE THE SEA, inspired by the Dylan Thomas poem "Fern Hill"; Philharmonic Program Annotator and Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence James M. Keller explores how Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 is the starting point of the great piano concerto tradition; and Music Director Lorin Maazel reflects on the brilliant orchestration of Tchaikovsky's popular Suite No. 3.
Published on: September 11, 2008
September 25–27, 2008
Lorin Maazel and others discuss the program of works by past Philharmonic Music Directors — Gustav Mahler's Adagio from Symphony No. 10, Pierre Boulez's Pli selon Pli: Improvisation II sur Mallarmé, and Leonard Bernstein's Symphony No. 2, The Age of Anxiety — as well as Mr. Maazel's own Music for Flute and Orchestra, with Tenor Tuba Obbligato.
Published on: September 5, 2008
September 18-20 & 23, 2008
Special Video Podcast: Steven Stucky's Rhapsodies
Composer Steven Stucky discusses how the limitations put on commissions can spur creativity. This video reveals the story behind his Rhapsodies for Orchestra, receiving its U.S. premiere in Philharmonic concerts on September 18-20 & 23, 2008.
Published on: September 12, 2008
September 18, 19, 20, and 23, 2008
Mark Travis explores Rachmaninoff's passionate and jaw-dropping Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring Yefim Bronfman; Ravel's endearing Mother Goose Suite; and Bartók's lurid Miraculous Mandarin Suite, while Lorin Maazel – as he enters his valedictory season as Music Director – reflects on his fondness for the Philharmonic and discusses the music of Steven Stucky, whose Rhapsodies for Orchestra will receive its U.S. premiere in these performances.
Published on: August 28, 2008
September 17, 2008
Sir James Galway talks about Ibert's challenging Flute Concerto – with its gorgeous, requiem-like second movement – while Elliott Forrest discusses Berlioz's festive Roman Carnival Overture and music commentator Charles Zachary Bornstein provides a detailed look at Tchaikovsky's stormy Symphony No. 4.
Published on: August 26, 2008
