Of all the New York Philharmonic activities that were put on hold over the past two years as a result of the pandemic, perhaps none was more sorely missed than the Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer. After two years of silence the stars aligned — and the weather cooperated — allowing the beloved tradition to return.
Over four consecutive nights, June 14–17, the Orchestra performed for a collective audience of 100,000 who gathered in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, Central Park’s Great Lawn in Manhattan, Cunningham Park in Queens, and Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducted works by Wagner, Bruch, and Dvořák, as well as two original works by NY Phil Very Young Composers, and violinist Bomsori Kim was the soloist. On Sunday — which marked both Father’s Day and Juneteenth — the Free Indoor Concert, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, returned to the St. George Theatre, where NY Phil Musicians joined special guests in the day of double celebration.
(All photos by Chris Lee unless otherwise noted.)
