Fabulous Fima!

Join us in wishing an outstanding birthday to Yefim Bronfman, next season’s Philharmonic Artist-in-Residence. This keyboard-devouring genius has performed with us already 87 (!) times, including on tour (check out the above video of Prokofiev’s knuckle-busting Second as performed in Spain). While you wait to hear his Beethoven cycle and more with us in 2013–14, don’t forget to pre-order your copy of the CD that includes his performance of a piece composed for him — Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 2 — in a live concert with Alan Gilbert and the Phil in May 2012. 

Many happy returns to this lovely gentleman and remarkable musician.

(Video: Chris Lee)

misssfine:

Dvorak - Sinfonia No.9 - New York Philharmonic Orchestra // Conducted by Lorin Maazel

one of my many favorites

New York Philharmonic adds: Former Music Director Lorin Maazel returns to the Philharmonic podium for two weeks of programs starting January 16, with pianist Yefim Bronfman and violinist Jennifer Koh. 

What’s in a Name?

WQXR is taking a poll: Who’s Got the Best Nickname in Classical Music?

Pinky? MTT? Fima? Which artist will you choose?  The New York Philharmonic’s own Artist-in-Residence Manny Ax is in the running, so cast your vote!

Tonight’s the Night

“It will be a milestone for the New York Philharmonic to make its debut in the beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall.”

 — President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta

The Orchestra performs for the first time in L.A.’s stunning Frank Gehry-designed Disney Hall — offering the West Coast Premiere of Composer-in-Residence Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 2, with our friend Yefim Bronfman as soloist. 

“Composers write what they want and I am happy to be the medium to try to incorporate that into performance.”

— In our latest video interview, Yefim Bronfman discusses learning a “complex and fascinating piece” like Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 2 — a work written for him. The eminent pianist tackle passages he describes as “almost unplayable” as he gives the World Premiere tonight at Avery Fisher Hall, led by Music Director Alan Gilbert.

Scour the Score

Courtesy of the Boosey & Hawkes Online Scores project, you can virtually browse through the 116-page score of Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The piece, the final work commissioned during Mr. Lindberg’s tenure as The Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence at the New York Philharmonic, will receive its World Premiere Thursday evening, performed by Yefim Bronfman and led by Music Director Alan Gilbert.

Take a peek; think you could take this on?

Win Tickets To Thursday’s Triple Threat

Alan Gilbert, Magnus Lindberg, and Yefim Bronfman… what more could you ask for on a Thursday night? Free tickets?! Well here’s your chance! To win a free pair of tickets to see the New York Philharmonic and pianist Yefim Bronfman give the World Premiere of Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 2, led by Music Director Alan Gilbert, this Thursday evening, click on the “Win Yefim Bronfman Tickets” tab on our Facebook page by 8pm tomorrow night (May 1).

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, May 2. Good luck!

From the Big Apple to City of the Arts

The first stop on the CALIFORNIA 2012 tour is the “City of the Arts” – Costa Mesa. The New York Philharmonic has performed in the Orange County locale only three times in its 170-year history, most recently in 2006 when it helped to inaugurate the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, en route to a major tour of the Far East. On May 8, Alan Gilbert takes the Orchestra back to Segerstrom Hall, treating the audience to Berlioz, Debussy, Ravel, and a Beethoven concerto with Yefim Bronfman.

East Coast Meets West Coast

“Congratulations to the great San Francisco Symphony on their Centennial. After conducting them just last fall, I can say unequivocally, they are fresh and powerful at 100! Their invitation to bring the New York Philharmonic to California as part of their celebration made it possible for us to return to California for the first time in many years.” — Alan Gilbert

The Music Director will conduct the New York Philharmonic in San Francisco May 13–14 as part of the left-coast orchestra’s centennial celebrations, just one of the highlights of the CALIFORNIA 2012 tour. With additional stops in Costa Mesa, Santa Barbara, Davis, and San Diego, Alan Gilbert’s first U.S. tour with the Orchestra has a rich array of repertoire, including the West Coast premiere of Composer-in-Residence Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 2, with longtime friend Yefim Bronfman. Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow will also takes the solo spotlight in San Francisco when he performs Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 1.