“ I don’t believe it is easy or even fruitful any more for a composer to invent a completely new universe for the instrument; rather, the complexity of pianistic history needs to be absorbed into a personal language. ”

— 

Magnus Lindberg, of his Piano Concerto No. 2, The Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence at the New York Philharmonic, which Alan Gilbert and the Orchestra will premiere May 3–5. Learn more about the composer of Kraft and EXPO, and his thoughts about the last work he is writing during his residency — which will feature virtuoso pianist Yefim Bronfman in the premiere and on the Orchestra’s CALIFORNIA 2012 tour — by reading the program notes.

Pianist Garrick Ohlsson, fresh from rehearsal with guest conductor Herbert Blomstedt and the New York Philharmonic, joined us in the radio room to discuss his 32-year performance history with Mr. Blomstedt, life as a self-proclaimed “Chopin-aholic,” and his ever-growing list of the greatest piano concertos ever written (one being Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, Jeunehomme, which he performs with the Orchestra beginning tomorrow night).

Catch this interview as part of the intermission feature when this week’s program airs on WQXR 105.9 FM on May 17 on The New York Philharmonic This Week.

“ Any performance with the Philharmonic is a privilege and this will be special. ”

— Pianist Emanuel Ax, who is the Philharmonic’s 2012–13 Season Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence.

You’re in Luck

Can’t attend tonight’s Chinese New Year celebration with Lang Lang at the Philharmonic? You’re in luck: WQXR 105.9 FM and WQXR.org will broadcast the concert LIVE! In addition to Lang Lang performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1, the concert will feature Philharmonic Principal Oboe Liang Wang performing Chen Qigang’s Extase for oboe and orchestra, bamboo flutist Junqiao Tang, and the Quintessenso Mongolian Children’s Choir — in its first ever appearance outside of China — performing in traditional Mongolian dress.

(Source: electriclandlady)

Bartók Goes All Out

This edition of On the Music brings you the three works on the concerts of January 18–21: Magnus Lindberg’s Feria, Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, with Lang Lang, an artist Music Director Alan Gilbert describes as “completely committed and completely personal.”

“A bit difficult — one might even say very difficult!”

— Bartók on his Piano Concerto No. 2, a work that he himself premiered in Frankfurt in January 1933, one week before Adolf Hitler was named Chancellor of Germany, in what would be the composer’s final performance in that country.

Lang Lang will perform this notoriously difficult work on the concerts of January 18–21, on a program that will also feature works by Magnus Lindberg and Prokofiev.

(Source: crippling)

Enter the Dragon

We’ve already welcomed the arrival of 2012 in style. Now it’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year on January 24 with pianist Lang Lang, Philharmonic Principal Oboe Liang Wang, Tang Jun Qiao, and the Quintessenso Children’s Choir, conducted by Long Yu — a night of festivities sure to make this an auspicious start to the Year of the Dragon.

Following this morning’s New Year’s Eve rehearsal, pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joined us in the radio room to discuss the importance of George Gershwin’s music, New Year’s Eve in New York, and more.

His interview will air at a later date on The New York Philharmonic This Week.

“ This time, it was all about transcendence. ”

—  Read today’s NYT review of FPZ’s all-JSB recital.