The New York Philharmonic

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New York Philharmonic To Perform at United Nations on December 14

New York Philharmonic to Perform at United Nations

Today, as the world celebrates United Nations Day, the UN and the New York Philharmonic jointly announced that Music Director Alan Gilbert will lead the Orchestra in a concert at the UN paying special tribute to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as he prepares to conclude his 10-year term at the helm of the world body at the end of December. The concert will also be an opportunity for a musical welcome to his successor, António Guterres, who will take office on January 1, 2017.

The program will include Beethoven’s Egmont Overture; Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, with Principal Clarinet Anthony McGill as soloist; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. These powerful pieces will carry a message from United Nations Headquarters in New York City to the world, saluting the power of culture and the Secretary-General’s contributions to the work and mission of the United Nations.

“I am extremely grateful to Mr. Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic for offering a concert in celebration of the work of the United Nations over the past decade,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “We look forward to welcoming this globally renowned orchestra for this very special event which underscores the power of music to inspire and unite.”

“All of us at the New York Philharmonic believe that music has the potential to champion peace, understanding, and cooperation,” said Alan Gilbert. “I am honored to be able to perform at the United Nations in continuation of a long tradition, and to honor Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his many accomplishments. I also want to thank Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson for his support of this event and his similar belief that music can help make the world a better place.”

Alan Gilbert Receives National Arts Club Medal of Honor

Music Director Alan Gilbert and National Arts Club President Linda Zagaria

The National Arts Club has bestowed Alan Gilbert with its Medal of Honor in Music as he begins his farewell season as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. The honor recognizes Alan’s wide-ranging contributions to the Philharmonic and symphonic music in the 21st century, from creating new ways for audiences to experience the art form to music education, through his position as Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies at The Juilliard School. Past recipients include Plácido Domingo, James Levine, Daniel Barenboim, Van Cliburn, Isaac Stern, and Emanuel Ax.

New York Philharmonic Artist-in-Association Inon Barnatan at the National Arts Club

The presentation was on October 13 at the Club’s Gramercy Park clubhouse. It included speeches by Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Mr. Jan Eliasson and Juilliard School Provost and Dean Ara Guzelimian, as well as a piano performance by New York Philharmonic Artist-in-Association Inon Barnatan.

Congratulations, Alan!

(Photos: Shannon Nallan for the National Arts Club)

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.)

Empire State Building To Glow Red for Opening Gala Concert

Empire State Building New York Philharmonic

We'll paint the town red.

On Thursday night, whether you join us for our Opening Gala Concert or not, look up: for yet another year, the Empire State Building will glow Philharmonic Red in honor of our 174th season, which kicks off that evening.

By the way, if you won't be joining us, you can still watch the concert free on Live From Lincoln Center and listen to it on Classical 105.9 WQXR!

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


PHOTOS: Concerts in the Parks Conclude in Queens, Central Park, and Staten Island

The New York Philharmonic's 2014 Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have concluded — albeit too quickly due to inclement weather. 

Check out photos from the free outdoor concerts ending with spectacular fireworks in Queens’s Cunningham Park, Central Park’s Great Lawn — which became home to 46,000 picnickers and Philharmonic fans — and the Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island. 

PHOTOS: Concerts in the Parks Begin in Brooklyn

The New York Philharmonic's 2014 Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have begun! 

Check out highlights from last night's kick-off in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, where 15,000 picnickers flocked to hear Music Director Alan Gilbert and the Philharmonic perform beautiful music by Richard Strauss, Smetana, and Tchaikovsky under the stars, followed by spectacular fireworks. What politicians and celebrities can you spot in the audience?

Stay tuned for more snapshots from the Concerts in the Parks — and join us in Queens's Cunningham Park (tonight), Central Park (Friday and Monday), Staten Island (Sunday), or the Bronx's Van Cortlandt Park (Tuesday).

Great News: $23 Million in Arts Funding for NYC Schools

Mayor Bill de Blasio New York City Scott Stringer Carmen Farina Ted Wiprud NY Philharmonic

It's a great day for arts education: Mayor Bill de Blasio, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña announced today a plan for how New York City will spend $23 million in arts funding for NYC schools. 

The plan: the City will hire 120 new arts teachers at underserved middle and high schools, improve arts facilities, and foster partnerships with cultural institutions across NYC. The new investment will offer new music, dance, visual arts, and theater classes and activities for thousands of students.

Our own Vice President of Education, Theodore Wiprud, is Co-Chair of the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable, and he was there on the podium with Mayor de Blasio for the announcement. 

Wiprud and his Co-Chair, Kati Koerner, provided this statement: “The arts education practitioners and cultural institutions that make up the Roundtable applaud the Mayor, the City Council, and the Chancellor’s decisive leadership in directing such a significant amount of funding in the FY15 City budget toward a variety of innovative arts education initiatives. Our members are excited about the range of meaningful opportunities the Mayor’s plan will afford for us to partner with schools. Together, we can ensure that the peerless cultural resources of this City are used to deepen arts learning for all students from pre-K through high school.”

“We want every child to feel the spark that comes from learning something they are passionate about," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "And so often, it’s taking up an instrument, honing an artistic craft, or performing for the first time that helps a young person come into their own for the first time. The investments we are making here won’t just help our students explore music, dance and the arts. They will help these children grow in a way that helps them succeed in school and in life.”

Photo: Ed Reed for the Office of Mayor Bill de Blasio