Playlist Countdown: A Swinging Start

One month from today audiences will embark on the adventure that is Gilbert’s Playlist, four weeks of widely varied programs that allow you to get inside the iPod and mind of our Music Director Alan Gilbert. Warm up with a look back at Wynton Marsalis’s early thoughts on his Swing Symphony, told to Alec Baldwin when the jazz legend and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joined forces with Alan and the Phil for the work’s U.S. premiere.

Then check out the piece for yourself on the May 30 Rush Hour Concert, or alongside other jazz-influenced works by Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and Copland May 31-June 1.

Tonight, Tonight
Who’s gonna host Tonight?
Is it gonna be Jimmy or Jay?

Leonard Bernstein made an appearance of sorts on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Monday night. 

Making light of the media frenzy over The Tonight Show’s future,Jimmy Fallon andJay Leno sang Tony and Maria’s beloved ”Tonight” duet from West Side Story. Discussions are still in the works, but surely we’ll know more by the time the Philharmonic plays “Tonight” at our 2013–14 Opening Night concert.

Jimmy’s guest that night? None other than Philharmonic Radio Host and Board Member Alec Baldwin.

Apollo! Apollo!

We’ve had a very special person on our mind grapes today as we wish a very happy 55th birthday to the Voice of the Phil, Alec Baldwin! The former Mr. Donaghy wears many hats over here as Board Member, Radio Host, and our friendly reminder to silence cell phones before every concert. He’s also performed with the Orchestra, including narrating L’Histoire du Soldat as part of our The Russian Stravinsky festival (in 2010, pictured above). Many happy returns, Alec — we’ll play some romantic marches by John Philip Sousa in your honor.

(Photo: Chris Lee)

We Want To Go To There Again

With tonight’s series finale of NBC’s 30 Rock, starring Philharmonic friend, announcer, and Board Member Alec Baldwin, we revisit our favorite musical interlude from this season, from an episode featuring Music Director Alan Gilbert and musicians from the Orchestra.

(Source: cjyouabusta)

“ It’s the Glengarry Glen Ross model of opening. ”

— 

Alec Baldwin, Philharmonic Radio Host and Board Member, on the Orchestra’s three weeks of opening concerts for the 2013-14 season.

Instead of “always be closing,” here at the Phil we believe in “always be opening.”

“ Music has such an overpowering place in film. To watch a film and have the full heft of the Philharmonic behind it is not to be missed. ”

— Alec Baldwin, Philharmonic Radio Host and Board Member, on The Art of the Score in the 2013-14 season.

Are you in NY for the holidays? Come spend an evening with some very talented people at @nyphil ….

Starry, Starry Night

Famous friends of the Philharmonic were out in full force last week following the New York Premiere of Steven Stucky’s Symphony and Gil Shaham’s performance of Barber’s Violin Concerto led by Alan Gilbert. Pictured here (clockwise from top left): Elvis Costello and Alan Gilbert; Alec and Hilaria Baldwin with Gil Shaham and Philharmonic Executive Director Matthew VanBesien; Gil Shaham and New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Sara Mearns; and Steven Stucky with conductor Matthias Pintscher.

That’s more star power than an N64 game.

Fan-tastic!

WQXR has named classical music’s top five famous fans, and we’re honored that the top two spots went to our Philharmonic friends Alec Baldwin (Board Member, Radio Host, and the friendly voice who reminds you to turn off your cell phone before the concert begins) and Garrison Keillor. 

Garrison returns to the Philharmonic tomorrow evening for Mr. Keillor at 70, when the A Prairie Home Companion host and raconteur will spin narrative and music by the likes of Jerry Garcia, Chopin, and Brian Wilson at Avery Fisher Hall.