Congratulations Alan!

Our Music Director has been nominated for a Grammy Award for conducting the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France on Renée Fleming’s Poèmes (Decca), about which The New York Times wrote that Alan drew, “plush, textured playing.” 

If he wins, this will be Alan’s second Grammy nod: he took one home in 2012 for Best Opera Recording for his performance of John Adams’ opera Doctor Atomic. We always knew he was a winner! 

Special Delivery

While Alan Gilbert was busy rehearsing for this weekend’s epic Philharmonic 360 program, a package quietly arrived for him at Avery Fisher Hall: his Grammy Award.

The Music Director won the Grammy for Best Opera Recording in February for the DVD capturing his Metropolitan Opera debut leading John Adams’s Doctor Atomic. On top of earning Alan a Grammy, the performance was named the number one classical music event of 2008 by New York magazine.

Congratulations, Alan!

“I was sort of numb.”

It was a Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo that struck dumb New York Philharmonic Principal Percussion Christopher S. Lamb. The Michigan native was on tour in Europe with the Philharmonic when he got a late-night call from his wife. “I kept it to myself, I didn’t really say much about it,” he admitted afterward. But eventually, people heard the news, and he returned home to 10 pages of congratulatory e-mails. The award was proffered for his recording of Joseph Schwantner’s Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra — which the New York Philharmonic commissioned and premiered with Lamb as soloist in 1995. The percussionist, who joined the New York Philharmonic in 1985, started on his instruments early: he received a snare drum from his parents in the second grade, along with private lessons. “I was really energetic and playing on everything,” he recalled. “I guess they wanted to direct that energy.” It seems to have paid off.

The Michigan native recently spoke with The Flint Journal about his Grammy win.

“Tell me, young beauty, where do you want to go?”

Alan Gilbert and the Philharmonic return from their triumphant EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour and will reprise their collaboration with Joyce DiDonato for audiences at home in NYC and in Philadelphia. The Grammy Award–winning mezzo-soprano gave this interview with the Kimmel Center:

kimmelcenter:

This month we spotlight mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. She will be appearing with the New York Philharmonic Friday, Feb 24, in Verizon Hall at 7:30 pm. This performance is part of our 10th Anniversary Celebration and the Great Orchestras Series. (Tix and Info)

1. Where were you born?
Prairie Village, Kansas

2. Where do you live now?
Kansas City, Missouri

3. What sound do you love?
Crashing waves on the beach, or the absolute stillness found at the top of a mountain

4. What’s your dream job?
Exactly what I do - singing and communicating with people 

5. What’s your favorite Philadelphia experience?
The PRETZELS! (When attending AVA and had no money, my $1 lunch consisted of a pretzel and a diet coke!)

6. What’s your favorite place in Philadelphia to grab a bite to eat?
Aside from the corner Pretzel stand, the Reading Terminal Market!

7. What’s your motto?
It’s ALL good!

8. What inspires your art? 
Everything.

9. What’s your favorite memory of the Kimmel Center?
This is my Kimmel Center debut!

10. What’s your next job?
A European tour of “Ariodante” where singing at Versailles will be a definite highlight!

Photo Credit: Sheila Rock

“ A good fortissimo does tend to make the ears perk up a bit. ”

— Composer Christopher Rouse, the Philharmonic’s 2012–13 Season Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence. In the first of his two-year tenure, the Pulitzer Prize– and Grammy Award–winning composer will be represented by three works — including his Phantasmata and Seeing — and will serve in a supervisory role for Contact!, the Philharmonic’s new-music series.

Offstage with Joyce DiDonato

Joyce DiDonato and the Philharmonic have taken their final bows of the EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour following their appearances in London, but the Grammy Award–winning mezzo-soprano and the Orchestra perform their triumphant program for audiences at home in New York and Philadelphia starting this week. Can’t wait for your DiDonato fix? Catch her tonight in conversation with WQXR’s Jeff Spurgeon for the first program of New York Philharmonic Offstage, a free public series at the David Rubenstein Atrium.

“The EUROPE / WINTER 2012 tour introduces … the Philharmonic’s inaugural International Associates residency with the Barbican Centre, and I look forward to seeing Alan Gilbert and the musicians create a meaningful exchange with the people of London through their artistic leadership and outreach.” —  Zarin Mehta

During the Philharmonic’s first International Associates residency in London, Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow, Principal Cello Carter Brey, Principal Trumpet Philip Smith, Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi, and Principal Percussion (and recent Grammy winner) Christopher S. Lamb shared their expertise and wisdom with music students through master classes held at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and at the Barbican Centre.  

You Too Could Win a Grammy (–winning CD)

Enter now for a chance to win the Grammy–winning album Diva, Divo with Joyce DiDonato, who performs Berlioz’s song cycle Les Nuits d’étéwith the Philharmonic Feb 22, 25 & 28, conducted by Alan Gilbert. Ten lucky winners will receive the CD, a collection of arias for different characters — of both sexes — from a single opera, or from different operatic treatments of the same story. An additional five winners will receive an autographed t-shirt. Visit our Facebook page and click on the “Sweepstakes” tab on the left for your chance to win. The winners will be announced at 5:00PM EST on Tuesday, February 21.

Good luck Tumblr-ites!

(via fuckyeahjoycedidonato)

London: We Answered Your Call

While the fashions of Great Britain take to the catwalks of New York Fashion Week, one of the city’s most fashionable organizations takes Great Britain by storm: the New York Philharmonic arrived in London this morning for its first-ever International Associates residency at the Barbican Centre, February 16–18, for four concerts — featuring performances by Grammy winner Joyce DiDonato, a YPC with Jamie Bernstein, as well as a series of educational and community outreach activities.

ukinusa:

A New York City subway train rolls through Grand Central Station, highlighting GREAT Britain as NYC Fashion Week events above ground showcase GREAT British designers!