The Unanswered Questions is a discussion series co-created by the New York Philharmonic, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Macaulay Honors College, which uses Philharmonic programming as a lens through which to examine complex issues of our time.

Coming Up



Here I Stand: Paul Robeson’s 125th Birthday
Sunday, April 2, 3:00 PM
Mother AME Zion Church

Multidisciplinary artist Helga Davis hosts this musical tribute to the groundbreaking American bass-baritone Paul Robeson (1898–1976), performed by Philharmonic musicians and sung by the Grammy Award winner Mark S. Doss. This event is free; no registration is required.
 

Video Archive

The Power of a Voice

Explore how and why artists and institutions use their platforms to draw attention to issues within the criminal justice system.

Handel and the Royal African Company

How do listeners today reconcile the joy of Handel’s Messiah with the composer’s ties to the Royal African Company and the transatlantic slave trade?

Unjust Malaise

This examination of composer Julius Eastman’s life and music reveals the ways in which society ostracizes, even criminalizes, behavior deemed to be deviant.

Reclaiming our Joy

Performers, creators, and activists discuss how joy has been integral both to their work and to our overall pursuit of justice.

Opening the Gate

Black artists, women, and other marginalized groups have been obstructed by systems of gatekeeping. How have these artists forged paths that challenge the status quo?

What's That Noise?

Join panelists, as they discuss the impact of culturally held perceptions of music versus noise and ponder the question who gets to be "loud" in New York City?