25 April 2013
It’s World Penguin Day!
We’re happy to say that we’ve always had a particular appreciation for the little guys who share our sartorial bent, as evidenced by former Music Director Zubin Mehta in Antarctica. After all, our Orchestra softball team is the Philharmonic Penguins.
14 May 2012
It’s a Dog’s Life
The New York Philharmonic was busy this weekend — with the Orchestra’s debut in Davis, CA and the first of two concerts as part of the San Francisco Symphony’s Centennial celebrations — but the intrepid New Yorkers found time for a friendly softball grudge match against the home team, as well as a backstage gatherings with friends old and new, including San Francisco Symphony Music Director (and one-time conductor of the Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts) Michael Tilson Thomas and his dog, Banda.
Check out the play on the field and on the stage by traveling on the CALIFORNIA 2012 virtual tour.
11 May 2012
East Coast, Represent!
The Philharmonic Penguins, led by Zubin Mehta (pictured),won the prized Davies Cup in a 24-16 game against the San Francisco Symphomaniacs in 1981. Sadly, they then lost the trophy two years later when the West Coasters met their rivals in New York in 1983 with an 11 to 6 win. The team - now led by Captain Alan Gilbert - is poised for a comeback to settle the score this Sunday, when the Penguins and the Symphomaniacs square off again for the trophy in SF during the CALIFORNIA 2012 tour. Look closely at this 1981 photo, and you’ll spot a young Alan Gilbert celebrating. (Photo courtesy of New York Philharmonic Digital Archives).
Organized by “Coach” Walter Rosenberg, the Philharmonic’s former Principal Percussionist, the Penguins have played in New York and all over the world. Famous maestros who have led the Penguins onto the field have been Seiji Ozawa, Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowski, and Leonard Slatkin.
