Bicentennial Man

While performing arts groups around the world have taken the 2012-13 season to celebrate the music of Richard Wagner, it was on May 22 in 1813 that the man who defined “gesamtkunstwerk” was born. The New York Philharmonic tips its hat to Wagner’s works with A Ring Journey, an “orchestral synthesis” of the composer’s epic Ring Cycle arranged by our very own Alan Gilbert (after Erich Leinsdorf).

Meanwhile, you can sate your appetite for all things Niebelungen thanks to the Philharmonic’s Digital Archives, which houses a number of scores from all four parts of the Ring, many (like the excerpts shown above) marked by Leonard Bernstein.

“If you manage to realize what was in your mind, then you’re happy.”

The New York Philharmonic mourns the loss and celebrates the life and music of Henri Dutilleux, our inaugural Marie-Josée Kravis Prize for New Music laureate, a brilliant composer (who summed up his work with the above quote), and a true friend to the Phil. As our 2012 Kravis Emerging Composer Sean Shepherd wrote earlier today on Twitter: “Henri Dutilleux was my hero in music. Much to love and to admire about both the man and his exquisite body of work. Very sad day.” 

In this 2011 video, Dutilleux is informed (in French) by Alan Gilbert that he won the inaugural Kravis Prize during a recording session that also features Renée Fleming.

(Photo: Chris Lee)

Walking Music

This time of year, our home base of Avery Fisher Hall is, by day, a bustle of activity for college graduation ceremonies as students from the likes of NYU and Fordham march across the stage, sheepskin in hand. It recently led us to unearth this score copy of Elgar’s Military March No. 1, the trio of which is better known as Pomp and Circumstance, from our Digital Archives. But, as one of our Facebook fans asked: Why is this the graduation song to beat all graduation songs?

“Pomp and Circumstance” was first heard in its popular use at Yale University’s 1905 graduation, where Elgar was receiving an honorary doctorate of music. As a result, Yale music professor Samuel Sanford (a friend of Elgar’s) incorporated a few works by the composer into the proceedings, including the trio from March No. 1 as a recessional. It’s still used in that capacity at Yale, and quickly became a popular processional for other colleges and high schools. The work was first heard at the Philharmonic two years after Elgar received his honorary degree from Yale, in 1907 at a concert conducted by Walter Damrosch.

Dream a Little Dream

Delve into our season finale, A Dancer’s Dream, with a look at our newest Pinterest board: Inside “A Dancer’s Dream.” Director and designer Doug Fitch (who helped create our productions of Ligeti’s Le Grand Macabre and Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen) has given us an exclusive peek at the inspiration boards that went into costuming Columbine, the Moor, Petrushka, and the Ice Maiden for Petrushka and The Fairy’s Kiss, two ballets by Stravinsky that make up our season finale in June that stars NYC Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns. See how designers like Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Comme des Garçons, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Viktor & Rolf combine with artful origami and the looks of everyone from Mad Max to classical ballet to create this one of a kind Dream.

Bustin’ Out All Over

The Orchestra may be back from a three-week tour, but there’s no rest for the wicked as we prepare to launch into our final month of the 2012–13 season. Following next Monday’s Free Annual Memorial Day Concert at The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, we host a slew of guest artists including Wynton Marsalis, Paulo Szot, Megan Hilty, Marin Mazzie, Lisa Batiashvili, Gerald Finley, Patricia Racette, Lionel Bringuier, Leonidas Kavakos, Emanuel Ax, and Sara Mearns. For a full calendar of our June journey, click here.

Home, Where My Music’s Playin’

After 16 days, 13 concerts, 2 chamber performances, 9 cities, and 4 countries, the Orchestra is finally back in Gotham. We’re welcoming them back with one final installment of our EUROPE / SPRING 2013 virtual tour, which captures the final performance in Vienna and a return back to New York City. Check it out here, and thanks for joining us on the journey this past month!

(Photos: Chris Lee)

Vienna Waits for You

The Philharmonic’s EUROPE / SPRING 2013 tour wraps up with a set of concerts to celebrate the centenary of the Wiener Konzerthaus, bringing all of the major works performed on tour together for three performances. Join in to see the activity around the Konzerthaus (including the return of some familiar faces) courtesy of our Virtual Tour.

(Photos by Chris Lee)

Jimmy and Lenny

Congratulations to James Levine as he prepares to return to the concert stage this weekend, following a two-year hiatus. While his performance this weekend will be with his “home” team of The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Jimmy would occasionally step next door to conduct the Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall (you can see the full measure of his appearances with us by searching his name here). In this photo from the Digital Archives, he shares shop talk with Leonard Bernstein.

Welcome back, Jimmy!

A Presidential Visit

Our list of distinguished audience members on tour grew a bit longer last night: Austrian Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer came to our May 15 concert, our first of three at the Vienna Konzerthaus celebrating the Konzerthaus’s centenary. Federal President Fischer offered his congratulations post-concert to Alan Gilbert, Matthew VanBesien, and our soloist for that evening, Emanuel Ax, before the three gentlemen went to the post-concert reception for our Global Sponsor Credit Suisse. Thank you very much for joining us, Dr. President, and happy birthday to the Wiener Konzerthaus! Here’s to another 100 years.