The New York Philharmonic

Update Browser

Pages don't look right?

You are using a browser that does not support the technology used on our website.

Please select a different browser or use your phone or tablet to access our site.

Download: Firefox | Chrome | Safari | Microsoft Edge

Note that Internet Explorer is no longer supported as of June 15, 2022.

Calling All NYC Composers: Take the New World Challenge!

 

As part of The New World Initiative — the New York Philharmonic’s season-long, citywide immersion in Dvořák’s New World Symphony — the Philharmonic is launching the New World Composition Challenge, inviting New York City–based composers to create works of not more than three minutes that contain or reference themes from Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World.

The contest is open to all New York City musicians, professional or amateur, and entrants may use any combination of instruments or voices, from solos to large ensembles, in any musical style or genre.

Visit newworldinitiative.com/participate for contest details. The deadline for submission is Friday, April 14, 2017. Cash prizes will be awarded to 11 winners to be announced on Monday, May 22, 2017.

Happy composing!

What’s New with The New World Initiative

The New World Initiative — the New York Philharmonic’s season-long, citywide immersion in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World — is in full swing.

Participating musicians and ensembles have spread the sounds of Dvořák’s “Goin’ Home” melody throughout the city. From full orchestral performances, arrangements written by and for women in an internment camp during World War II, to the ethereal tones of the musical saw, each interpretation offers a unique glimpse into New York City’s multifaceted culture.

With the goal of introducing the New World Symphony to as many New York City students as possible, the Philharmonic, in partnership with the NYC Department of Education, developed a curriculum exploring the work’s African American and Native American influences and the theme of “home,” using materials from the Philharmonic’s Archives. This curriculum was presented to more than 400 teachers at a professional development day in November, which included performances of the work.

Get a taste for the variety of ways people are engaging with The New World Initiative in the above video, and learn more about The New World Initiative here.

175th Anniversary Opening Gala Concert: Video

This past Wednesday launched the New York Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season, Music Director Alan Gilbert’s farewell season, and The New World Initiative — the Philharmonic’s season-long, city-wide project revolving around Dvořák’s New World Symphony and its theme of “home.” Alan Gilbert led works tied to the Philharmonic’s rich history of premieres by John Corigliano, Gershwin with Aaron Diehl as soloist, and Dvořák.

It was also the Orchestra’s first-ever live concert broadcast on Facebook. In case you missed it, above is video of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, From the New World.

Alan Gilbert Conductor
Aaron Diehl Piano (New York Philharmonic debut)

John Corigliano STOMP for Orchestra
Gershwin Concerto in F

Intermission

Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, From the New World

Host: Terrance McKnight
Director: Habib Azar

The 175th Anniversary Season Begins

Wednesday marked many milestones: the launch of the New York Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season, Music Director Alan Gilbert’s farewell season, and The New World Initiative — the Philharmonic’s season-long, city-wide project revolving around Dvořák’s New World Symphony and its theme of “home” — plus the Orchestra’s first-ever live concert broadcast on Facebook. The day began with a free dress rehearsal open to the 70+ ensembles performing the New World Symphony across the city as part of The New World Initiative. That night, Mozart in the Jungle cast members Bernadette Peters and Lola Kirke, Josh Groban, Ben Vereen, Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, Bill Moyers, Itzhak Perlman, and more were among the friends and supporters who gathered for the Opening Gala cocktail reception, glamorous dinner, and the concert itself — featuring Alan Gilbert leading works tied to the Philharmonic’s rich history of premieres by John Corigliano, Gershwin with Aaron Diehl as soloist, and Dvořák. The Empire State Building shone Philharmonic red in celebration.

Empire State Building To Glow Red for 175th Anniversary Opening Gala Concert

Empire State Building New York Philharmonic

We’ll paint the town red.

Whether you join us tonight for our 175th Anniversary Opening Gala Concert, look up: for yet another year, the Empire State Building will glow Philharmonic Red in honor of our 175th season, which, appropriately enough, celebrates our hometown.

By the way, if you won’t be joining us, you can still watch the concert free on Facebook! Tune in a few minutes before 7:30.

(The Empire State Building image® is a registered trademark of ESRT Empire State Building, L.L.C. and is used with permission.)

The New World Initiative Launches with Facebook Live Broadcast of Opening Gala Concert

NY Philharmonic The New World Initiative Facebook Live Dvorak

For the first time ever, you’ll be able to catch a New York Philharmonic concert from the comfort of your own phone. The Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season Opening Gala Concert will be broadcast live on Facebook this Wednesday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Featuring Dvořák’s New World Symphony, the New York Premiere of John Corigliano’s STOMP for Orchestra, and Gershwin’s Concerto in F with pianist Aaron Diehl in his Philharmonic debut, the Opening Gala Concert kicks off The New World Initiative — a season-long, citywide project revolving around Dvořák’s New World Symphony and its theme of “home.” Throughout the 2016–17 season, The New World Initiative will explore the New World Symphony through performances, community outreach, and education projects on the occasion of the Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season, honoring the Orchestra’s hometown and its role as an adopted home for many.

Dvořák wrote the symphony, which features the Largo melody known as “Goin’ Home,” while he was living here in New York City. The Philharmonic gave the World Premiere of the New World Symphony in December 1893, marking the Orchestra’s first World Premiere of a work written in New York City that would become part of the standard repertoire.

Among The New World Initiative activities: the New York Philharmonic Education department is developing a curriculum for New York City public schools on the New World Symphony, and the Philharmonic is inviting New York City ensembles to join in by performing the symphony during the 2016–17 season. Check out the 74 ensembles and counting — receiving benefits like arrangements, marked conducting scores, and sheet music, and free access to the Opening Gala Concert dress rehearsal and Open Rehearsals throughout the season — and sign up to participate at newworldinitiative.com.