Meet Me in Shanghai

In addition to serving as the Special Events Committee Chair on the Philharmonic’s Board of Directors, writing children’s books, and serving as a champion poodle parent — Karen LeFrak rounds out her talents by composing music premiered around the world. Most recently, on April 13, Karen’s work Pavlovsk received its Chinese Premiere with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra led by Long Yu, pictured above (far right).

Also in this photo with Maestro Yu are Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow (second from right) — who was soloist in the evening’s concert in which he performed Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 — Principal Oboe Liang Wang (left), and Principal Horn Philip Myers (second from left), who were among the Philharmonic delegation to Shanghai around this concert.

Lunar New Year Memories

Philharmonic Principal Oboe Liang Wang shares favorite memories of Chinese New Year celebrations with his own family, in this WQXR feature.

Join Liang and the Orchestra for our Year of the Snake celebration tomorrow evening. 

Oboist in the Park

“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would play in front of this many people,” Philharmonic Principal Oboe Liang Wang revealed, speaking from the Central Park concert where he and the Orchestra performed for more than 45,000 people.

What else does Liang have to say about the Philharmonic’s beloved Concerts in the Parks? Watch this video created by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

Cultural Diplomacy of the Musical Variety

Yes, that’s Philharmonic Principal Oboe Liang Wang performing in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations. Wang participated June 25 in a Celebratory Cultural Performance highlighting U.S and Chinese relations as part of U.N. Public Service Day events. The Chinese-born Wang performed Telemann’s Fantasies Nos. 1 and 8 for an audience of diplomatic guests, an event that was broadcast live to China. It was an honor, he reports, but also a most unusual experience to see the General Assembly filled with musicians and Chinese dancers.

Follow That Cab

…to Philharmonic 360. Can anyone identify the first instrument that Philharmonic Assistant Timpani Kyle Zerna picks up when he and Principal Oboe Liang Wang get into the funky cab in this Follow The Sound video?

Check out this video and more at nyphil360.com to hear what’s in store Friday and Saturday night at the Park Avenue Armory.

FOLLOW THE SOUND 
New Video: Concert Cab

In today’s video, Philharmonic Principal Oboe Liang Wang and Assistant Principal Timpani Kyle Zerna opt for an atypical warm-up rituel in a crosstown Checker Cab.

Follow the sound each day this week at nyphil360.com as several musicians and Music Director Alan Gilbert make their way across town for Philharmonic 360, June 29–30, presented by the NY Philharmonic and Park Avenue Armory.

An A-typical Warm-Up Rituel

Where are Liang Wang and Kyle Zerna heading in a Checker Cab with their instruments? Check nyphil360.com on June 11 to find out more, and stay tuned for more photos this week.

A Reunion and a Rebroadcast

Last week’s Chinese New Year concert was the first time in 15 years that Principal Oboe Liang Wang celebrated the holiday with his parents, who still live in China. Read more about this special reunion in Jane Levere’s Forbes magazine article.

This just in: Hong Kong-based broadcaster Phoenix TV will air the concert in its entirety in a program titled “Happy Chinese New Year” Concert with the New York Philharmonic on Saturday, February 4, at 4:05 p.m.

As part of its ongoing “China in New York” festival, WQXR will feature an in-depth “musical portrait” with Principal Oboe Liang Wang, hosted by David Garland. Liang will perform CHEN Qigang’s Extase for Oboe and Orchestra on tonight’s Chinese New Year concert at the Philharmonic.

To get you in a dragon state of mind, read WQXR’s list of the Top Five Musical Appearances of Dragons.