Revving Up

If you’re not yet psyched about experiencing Magnus Lindberg’s Kraft by watching the Webcast on medici.tv — which begins at 2:00 p.m. New York time — you will be after watching this video of Alan Gilbert and the Philharmonic’s preparations for today’s concert at Dresden’s Volkswagen Transparent Factory! Then check in tomorrow for photos and more video on our Virtual Tour.

Free Pass To Cut the Line

As we mentioned last week, the Philharmonic is giving away exclusive seats for Wednesday’s open rehearsal* to our Tumblr fans. There are still THREE seats left! The next three people to comment on our giveaway post (be sure to leave a comment, not like or reblog) will score reserved seating for Wednesday morning’s concert.

*Rehearsal begins at 9:45 a.m.

“It creates this absolutely surreal feeling, like in a dream.”

Dream a little dream this Wednesday night as pianist Leif Ove Andsnes helps Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic open the 171st season, performing György Kurtág’s … quasi una fantasia …. In this video, the Norwegian pianist takes you through the piece’s sequence of spatial movements.

Here this and more for FREE Wednesday morning at 9:45 a.m. at the annual open dress rehearsal, presented by Credit Suisse. 

Party on the Plaza

We’ll be celebrating Opening Night of the 2012–13 season with a FREE open dress rehearsal — thanks to our Global Sponsor Credit Suisse.

Prior to the rehearsal on September 19, you’ll be able to grab some free giveaways, like CDs and chocolates, meet musicians of the Orchestra (including Alan Gilbert, himself), and enter a raffle for tickets to the Philharmonic’s Opening Gala concert featuring Itzhak Perlman.

Tip: Arrive early, as tickets are first-come, first-served (and bring a bag for all the free stuff!).

Backstage Pass

Take a glimpse at history in the making. This is a peek at the New York Philharmonic rehearsal of Stockhausen’s Gruppen, the three-orchestra centerpiece of Philharmonic 360, a co-presentation with Park Avenue Armory. The performances this Friday and Saturday mark the Philharmonic’s first at the Armory since 1882 and its first performance of Gruppen ever.

On Board

Violins? Check. Trombones? Check. Board members? Check. Today, Philharmonic board members joined the Orchestra on stage for rehearsal to celebrate their special connection to the musicians.

From mere inches away, Board Members including Chairman Gary W. Parr, Karen LeFrak, and Honey Kurtz experienced Dvořák’s Carnival Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, to be performed this week.

Lovely Lisa

Lisa Batiashvili, a longtime collaborator of Alan Gilbert’s, returns to New York for four not-to-be-missed performances of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 this week. For a look at the musical chemistry that results when Lisa meets up with Alan and the Orchestra, check out this rehearsal video shot in Munich during the EUROPE / SPRING 2011 tour.

Welcome back, Blomstedt!

This morning the Orchestra had its first rehearsal with Herbert Blomstedt leading Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. His concerts here fall in the midst of his 85th birthday season and mark his first appearance with the Orchestra in 15 years.

Tomorrow afternoon the birthday boy will be joined on stage by pianist Garrick Ohlsson for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 9, Jeunehomme. 

Mr. van Zweden Meets the Phil

Check out a first glimpse at the New York Philharmonic rehearsing with conductor Jaap van Zweden for the first time. Working through Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, the Orchestra is preparing for Mr. van Zweden’s Philharmonic debut Thursday night. Also on the program: Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Yuja Wang, who will be in the house tomorrow.