rachelbaek3:

That’s all I can say. I wish there was a better word than amazing.

Just Released:
Magnus Lindberg and Prokofiev

The fifth release from the Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic 2011–12 Season digital recording series is now available for download from iTunes and other major online music providers. This latest recording — led by Music Director Alan Gilbert — includes Feria (featured in this audio clip), a 17-minute orchestral essay completed in 1997 by the Marie Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence Magnus Lindberg, alongside Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5.

For more information on this season’s digital recording series, visit nyphil.org/recordings.

Ah! Bach!

Today is the 327th birthday of the Baroque master of whom Music Director Alan Gilbert said, “Bach is the composer who, more often than not, ends up at the top of anybody’s list of greatest or favorite composers.” That certainly is true of the majority of the musicians in the Philharmonic — including Principal Second Violin Group Marc Ginsberg, and violist Peter Kenote — who cited Johann Sebastian more often than anyone else when asked what composer was the most inspiring.

Next season you can find out why, as Alan Gilbert puts it, “Bach’s music can withstand interpretation and can be treated in different ways.” Explore the master through The Bach Variations: A Philharmonic Festival, March 13–April 6, 2012.

“ Standing on a corner watching all the girls go by.
Standing on the corner giving all the girls the eye. ”

— This diversionary tactic for a warm first day of spring comes courtesy of Frank Loesser’s The Most Happy Fella. Stars of Broadway, opera, and television join the Philharmonic to perform more of his classic tunes in Anywhere I Wander: The Frank Loesser Songbook on March 26.

The devil is in the details and that is certainly true of the Philharmonic’s move to Lincoln Center in 1962. The minutes of the December 13, 1961, Board of Directors meeting state that “all seems to be going as scheduled,” but because construction costs had “greatly increased,” Lincoln Center (which was to have purchased all the furnishings) asked the Philharmonic to provide items connected with spaces that it would be using exclusively: “These furnishings would include those for such rooms as the conductor’s studio, library, subscription department, locker room, and lounge.” The Board agreed, with a cap, and — as is obvious to anyone who attends the Orchestra’s concerts today — the move was achieved.

This is but one of the many, many details revealed in the images, photographed by Ardon Bar Hama, that will be added to the Philharmonic Digital Archives Be part of the online discussion featuring scholars from around the world on launch day: March 22, at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern).

As The Modern Beethoven comes to a close tomorrow night, critics and fans alike have given high marks to the six symphonies and three concertos that span two centuries.

“The Philharmonic played magnificently.” — Allan Kozinn, The New York Times

“Mr. Serkin played the intimidating solo part with steely concentration and bright power…. Mr. Zinman provided expert accompaniment.” — Paul Pelkonen, Superconductor

“When Zinman leads Beethoven, there’s nothing common about it.” — Ronni Reich, The Star-Ledger

“The NYPO and the wonderful Peter Serkin again shine in Stravinsky’s elusive Capriccio.” — Michael McManus, Gramophone

@cbartoldwrite Once again you took me on the ride of my life w/Beethoven 1st & 3rd symphonies! Energy, clarity sparkled. Thx David Zinman!

@Matt_Fabian @GilShaham @nyphil @DavidZinman Fantastic show last night, Gil. Thanks!

@AllMyChandler Run don’t walk to see Beethoven’s 1st & 3rd symphonies @nyphil + Gil Shaham. Unbelievable performance. Tomorrow/Tues. nyphil.org

Thanks everyone! We think ‘Toven is the tops, too.

“There’s only that much you can get out of that little piece of wire sticking in your ear. You will have that inherent need to go and watch and hear something live.”

— Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta, in yesterday’s interview with the Times of India, in which he quite frankly addresses a wide array of topics, including engaging audiences in the digital era, the challenges of fund-raising, the Philharmonic’s historic visit to Pyongyang in 2008, Asia’s rising interest in Western classical music, and his thoughts of India on the tour map as he approaches the conclusion of his 12-year tenure with the New York Philharmonic.

St. Patrick’s Day Fact

The New York Philharmonic has only toured in Ireland once, in 1996 under Kurt Masur. The concert, held in Dublin’s National Concert Hall, included Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for String Orchestra, and Ned Rorem’s Concerto for English Horn and Orchestra. The only other Philharmonic appearance in Ireland was a 1985 chamber concert in Dublin as part of a month-long Europe tour under Zubin Mehta. Hope that’s enough to get us a little bit of the luck o’ the Irish!

… to us!

169 years ago on this day,the New York Philharmonic’s first concert took place in the Apollo Rooms on lower Broadway before an audience of 600. The concert opened with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and was led by Philharmonic founder-father Ureli Corelli Hill.

Tonight, the Orchestra performs its 15,277th concert before an audience of thousands, led by Daniel Harding. 

Happy birthday to America’s oldest (and most fabulous) symphony orchestra!