The Modern Beethoven

Where can you hear six Beethoven symphonies paired with works by Stravinsky, Barber, and Hartmann, featuring pianist Peter Serkin, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and violinist Gil Shaham, conducted by David Zinman? At the Philharmonic, of course, next month during The Modern Beethoven: A Philharmonic Festival — profiled in a recent segment on “This Week at Lincoln Center” on PBS Thirteen. Get in the Beethoven state of mind.

The Philharmonic Talk of the Town

From Christopher Rouse, Emanuel Ax, Renée Fleming, and Gerald Finley to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, concertos by Carl Neilsen, a Bach festival, and a theatrical rendering of Stravinsky’s Petrushka with Doug Fitch, the details of the Philharmonic’s 2012–13 Season have been announced. Here’s what this town — and beyond — are saying:

Philharmonic Announces Its Next Season — Daniel J. Wakin, The New York Times

Rouse Named Next N.Y. Philharmonic Composer-in-Residence — Jennifer Maloney, The Wall Street Journal

New York Philharmonic Announces Artists-in-Residence — Associated Press

Busy season for New York Philharmonic — Ronni Reich, The Star-Ledger

N.Y. Philharmonic Announces Details Of 2012-2013 Season — NY1

New York Philharmonic Announces New Season’s Schedule — Kim Nowacki, WQXR.org

N.Y. Philharmonic rides “Carousel” — Gordon Cox, Variety

Renee Fleming, Gerald Finley, Rob Fisher Set for New York Philharmonic Season — Brian Scott Lipton, TheaterMania

Check out what Philharmonic news had Twitter abuzz this week and what is on the horizon in 2012:

life:

October 18 marks the 50th anniversary of West Side Story, the acclaimed musical about two star-crossed lovers in 1950s New York City and the racial prejudices that keep them apart. In honor of the occasion, LIFE.com takes a look back at the evolution of the show—which made its Broadway debut in 1957 and was adapted into an Oscar-winning movie in 1961—from stage to screen.

(see more — ‘West Side Story’ A Look Back)

Happy 50th Anniversary West Side Story! Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story on the nationally televised A New Yorker’s New Year’s Eve. Check your local listings for PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center. 

A Concert for New York

The fully edited PBS broadcast, hosted by NBC News special correspondent and author Tom Brokaw, is now streaming online at pbs.org. The concert, performed by the New York Philharmonic on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, and led by Music Director Alan Gilbert in Avery Fisher Hall, features Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, with soprano Dorothea Röschmann, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, and the New York Choral Artists.

Just Announced: Ticket Information for “A Concert For New York” — A Free Performance on September 10

The New York Philharmonic will distribute free tickets beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2011, on the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center for A Concert for New York — a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, given in remembrance and renewal on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The concert will take place that evening at 7:30 p.m. in Avery Fisher Hall, and will also be projected onto a large screen on the Plaza for anyone who is unable to obtain tickets. It will also be broadcast on PBS on September 11 at 9 p.m. EST (check local listings). The free, reserved tickets will be distributed — one pair per person — on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notice for families of 9/11 victims, first responders and survivors: The Philharmonic is offering priority ticket access to the members of this community; you may request a pair of tickets in advance by e-mailing concertfornewyork@nyphil.org by September 1, 2011.

Watch this, tonight!

If you were unable to get tickets to Carnegie Hall’s 120th Anniversary Gala with Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, Manny Ax, Gil Shaham, and Audra McDonald, tune in at home tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Great Performance on PBS (check local listings).

lincolncenter:

Watch as violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter gives the final performances of her residency with the New York Philharmonic on WNET’s This Week at Lincoln Center.

Two great programs this week, one great Artist-in-Residence.

Alec Baldwin Digs Seriously Beautiful Music!

In a recent New York Post article, the 30 Rock star and classical music connoisseur talks about his discovery of classical music: “It was back in the 80s, when I was living in Los Angeles and the popular music of the time wasn’t really interesting to me,” he recalls. “I never went back to popular music!”

Baldwin is definitely a fan! He’s also the voice of the nationally syndicated radio program, The New York Philharmonic This Week, and he will be hosting the Live From Lincoln Center broadcast of the Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert on Friday night beginning at 8:00 p.m. on PBS [check local listings], with Music Director Alan Gilbert and Lang Lang as piano soloist.

Be sure to tune in!