The New York Philharmonic

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SLIDESHOW: A Glamorous Opening Gala

The New York Philharmonic's 2013–14 season kicked off yesterday with a full day of celebratory activities: a Free Dress Rehearsal, courtesy of the Philharmonic and Global Sponsor Credit Suisse, complete with chocolates and tango dancers; buzzing pre-concert receptions; the Opening Gala Concert itself headlined by Yo-Yo Ma; and the post-concert dinner. Relive the day's highlights!

Free Dress Rehearsal 2013

Free Dress Rehearsal 

It's just after noon, and the Philharmonic can be heard playing Boléro, the closer of tonight's Opening Gala Concert as well as today's Free Dress Rehearsal. The first people in line arrived at 4:50 a.m., and a total of approximately 1,500 fans joined them. They enjoyed morning sun; free water and chocolate courtesy of Global Sponsor Credit Suisse; and tango performances and lessons by dancers from Triangulo. A handful of Philharmonic musicians (including violinist Hae-Young Ham, above, at left) greeted fans and even tangoed. Five lucky fans won the raffle prize: an iPod Shuffle loaded with Philharmonic performances.

Watch this space for more on today's events, including a full slideshow capturing these and more elements of the day and night. It's been a terrific morning, thanks to all who joined us, and here's to a great 2013–14 Season!

 

What Does Boléro Look Like?

unravelling bolero

This, according to the late Canadian artist Anne Adams. In 1994, Adams completed “Unravelling Boléro,” a bar-by-bar depiction of Ravel's slinky, Spain-tinged piece. Rich color spectrum: check. One long, slow crescendo: check. Those pinks and oranges (over what looks like New York at night) toward the end are the key change, of course.

Adams had progressive aphasia, which can cause a flowering of activity in a brain area that integrates different senses. The kicker: Ravel had it, too, according to one scientific study. Another symptom is a compulsion toward repetition — could Boléro be an example?

Read the fascinating story and hear Boléro September 25 at the Opening Gala or the Free Dress Rehearsal.