The New York Philharmonic

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NY Phil Remembers David Del Tredici

The New York Philharmonic mourns the passing of David Del Tredici — a prominent composer of the latter half of the 20th century with a longstanding NY Phil association — who died Saturday at the age of 86.

Del Tredici, who became part of the New Romanticism movement, was deeply indebted to his literary influences, setting to music works by James Joyce and Lewis Carroll. It was Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, in particular, that would yield some of the most notable compositions of his career, culminating in Final Alice, which the New York Philharmonic co-commissioned as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’s celebration of the American Bicentennial, in 1976.

His association with the New York Philharmonic would continue in the years to follow: the Orchestra gave the US Premiere of Del Tredici’s Tattoo in 1988, led by Laureate Conductor Leonard Bernstein; the World Premiere of Steps for Orchestra in 1990, led by then Music Director Zubin Mehta; and the World Premiere of The Spider and the Fly in 1998 — an NY Phil commission as part of the Orchestra’s 150th-anniversary celebration — led by then Music Director Kurt Masur. Additionally, Del Tredici served as the NY Phil’s composer-in-residence from 1988–90.

The NY Phil extends deepest sympathies to Del Tredici’s family and friends.

NY Phil Kicks Off 2023–24 Season with Opening Gala

On Wednesday, September 27, the New York Philharmonic held its Opening Gala, kicking off a 2023–24 season that is sure to be nothing short of thrilling. David Geffen Hall was decked out for the festive occasion, with a palpable feeling of celebration in the air. The concert, which included masterpieces by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, marked the beginning of Music Director Jaap van Zweden’s farewell season at the NY Phil, and also marked a reunion with Yo-Yo Ma, the acclaimed soloist in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto.

That concert was the centerpiece of the Gala evening, which honored Deborah Borda, the Orchestra’s former President and CEO. Over two stints as the NY Phil’s chief executive — totaling 14 years — Borda revitalized the Orchestra, worked with NY Phil and Lincoln Center leadership to transform David Geffen Hall, and deepened connections with New York City communities. This past June, just before she moved into the role of Executive Advisor to the President and Board of Directors, the NY Phil Board named her an Honorary Member of the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York for her “outstanding service to the organization and the world of music.”

All told, it was a splendid evening for the New York Philharmonic — an occasion to honor its past, revel in its present, and look ahead to its boundless future. Check out some highlights in the slideshow above!

NY Phil Returns to Oklahoma State University

This past weekend, the New York Philharmonic concluded its 2023 residency at The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts at Oklahoma State University (OSU). The third year of a three-year partnership among the NY Phil, the McKnight Center, and OSU comprised three orchestral concerts, a chamber-music concert for young people, and educational activities, including masterclasses for OSU students led by 15 NY Phil musicians.

Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducted masterpieces by Copland, Beethoven, Dvořák, and more, and was joined by soloists including violinist Stefan Jackiw and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott. On the residency’s second concert, van Zweden shared the podium with guest conductor Jeff Tyzik, who led the Philharmonic in a selection of film scores, including NY Phil Principal Trumpet Christopher Martin’s reprisal of music from a John Williams soundtrack he premiered.

Check out highlights from this year’s activities in the slideshow above. We’ll see you back at David Geffen Hall!

All photos by Chris Lee unless otherwise noted

A Landmark Gift from Oscar L. Tang and Agnes Hsu-Tang

 Oscar L. Tang, Agnes Hsu-Tang, Gustavo Dudamel, and Gary Ginstling (Photo by Fadi Kheir)Oscar L. Tang, Agnes Hsu-Tang, Gustavo Dudamel, and Gary Ginstling (Photo by Fadi Kheir)

“We want this gift to galvanize others to join in the transformation of the New York Philharmonic to return to the level of historical prominence and popularity it enjoyed when I first came to New York — the Golden Age under the baton of Maestro Leonard Bernstein.” So said NY Phil Co-Chairman Oscar L. Tang on the historic $40 million gift he and his wife, Agnes Hsu-Tang, have made to the Orchestra, the details of which were announced earlier today.

The landmark gift — the largest-ever single contribution to the NY Phil’s endowment — will expand the Orchestra’s programming and further its efforts to engage more closely with New York’s diverse communities and the entire music world. It will also formally establish The Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music and Artistic Director Chair beginning in 2025, when Gustavo Dudamel becomes the NY Phil’s Music Director Designate before beginning his role as Music and Artistic Director in the 2026–27 season.

President and CEO Gary Ginstling praised the couple, saying “Their extraordinary gift will help the NY Phil and Gustavo Dudamel reimagine what a 21st-century orchestra can be and ensure that the Philharmonic’s music-making will serve future generations.” Peter W. May, who serves alongside Mr. Tang as Co-Chairman, added: “Oscar and Agnes are exemplary New Yorkers, inspiring philanthropists, and the NY Phil is privileged to have their support and confidence as we approach the Gustavo Dudamel era.”

Oscar Tang underscored the couple’s belief in the future of the Orchestra with Dudamel and Ginstling at the helm: “We believe their leadership, building on progress achieved in the past six years, will take the New York Philharmonic into a new Golden Age and make this institution a contemporary ideal of universality and excellence through broadened outreach and inclusive practice in every aspect of the institution.”

NY Phil Concludes 2023 Bravo! Vail Residency

The New York Philharmonic’s historic 2022–23 season came to a grand conclusion with the Orchestra’s 20th summer residency at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival. From July 19 through 26, the NY Phil performed in six concerts, two conducted by Music Director Jaap van Zweden, and were joined by conductors Giancarlo Guerrero, Hannu Lintu, Justin Freer, and Marin Alsop. With virtuosic soloists including Stefan Jackiw, Anne-Marie McDermott, Yunchan Lim, and the NY Phil’s own Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi, and repertoire ranging from Sibelius to Bruckner to new works by Corea and Nina Shekhar — and much more — the residency brought the world-class stylings of the Philharmonic to the picturesque landscapes of Vail, Colorado, for an unforgettable musical experience. 

See the slideshow above for highlights from the NY Phil's residency!

NY Phil Musicians Return to the Shanghai Orchestra Academy

Following the NY Phil’s Tour to Taiwan & Hong Kong, a delegation of musicians and staff traveled to Shanghai. The visit marked the first in-person activities as part of the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Partnership — a joint endeavor of the New York Philharmonic and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music — since 2019. Over the course of the week, nine Philharmonic musicians performed in the Music in the Summer Air Festival, shared their expertise through teaching and side-by-side performance, and attended the commencement ceremonies for the graduating instrumentalists receiving advanced degrees in 2023. Starr International Foundation has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Partnership since its inception in 2014.

 

All photos courtesy of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Partnership unless otherwise noted.

The NY Phil’s Triumphant Tour to Taiwan & Hong Kong

Following five sold-out concerts in three cities, the New York Philharmonic has returned home from its first trip to Asia since 2019. The Tour to Taiwan & Hong Kong, conducted by Music Director Jaap van Zweden, included appearances in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Hong Kong, with the Orchestra performing symphonic masterpieces by Beethoven, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, and — joined by violinist Hilary Hahn, the NY Phil’s 2023–24 season Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence — Brahms’s Violin Concerto. Following the tour a group of musicians returned to Shanghai for the first live activities in the Shanghai Orchestra Academy and Partnership in four years. The Presenting Sponsor for the tour and the partnership is Starr International Foundation.

See the slideshow for highlights from the tour, and check back for photos from the return to Shanghai.

All photos by Chris Lee