The New York Philharmonic today launched Alan Gilbert: The Inaugural Season iTunes Pass, a groundbreaking new digital music series available exclusively on the iTunes Store.
The Alan Gilbert: The Inaugural Season iTunes Pass will allow users to own live New York Philharmonic concert recordings of more than 50 works performed during 2009-10 - Alan Gilbert's inaugural season as Music Director - each released within weeks of the actual concert, as well as additional recordings of concerts from recent seasons and other bonus content, for more than 30 total hours of music. Users will automatically receive music downloads on a regular basis each month through August 2010 for a one-time price of $150.
The New York Philharmonic is the first orchestra with an iTunes Pass, and Alan Gilbert: The Inaugural Season is the first classical music iTunes Pass offered by iTunes. The series launches with six releases that include works from the first severAl Weeks of the New York Philharmonic's 2009-10 season under Alan Gilbert, representing the rich range of repertoire that has become a trademark of Mr. Gilbert's leadership.
In celebration of the launch of Alan Gilbert: The Inaugural Season iTunes Pass, the New York Philharmonic Principal Brass Quintet will give a free performance tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the newly-opened Apple Store, Upper West Side (1981 Broadway, on the corner of West 67th Street).
"I am very pleased that we are already launching my first recording project with the Orchestra, especially since it utilizes such a forward-looking mechanism," said Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert. "I am proud of the sound quality we've achieved in this series. More importantly, I am really pleased with the range of music that we'll be making available and of the quality of the Orchestra's performances. It is a remarkable achievement - one of which everyone involved can be proud."
"Alan Gilbert: The Inaugural Season will allow more listeners around the world to experience the passion and power of the New York Philharmonic's performances as we begin the tenure of a new and inspiring Music Director, and a vast range of the orchestral repertoire," said Zarin Mehta, President and Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic. "To reach the widest possible public, we have been seeking out ways to benefit from the newest methods of recording technology and distribution, and the iTunes Pass makes it possible for us to offer music on a scale that seemed unimaginable until just recently."
Recordings available at launch include performances from the first severAl Weeks of Alan Gilbert's inaugural season that reflect the range of his interests and his passion both for embracing the new and for revitalizing the canon. The works include EXPO by Magnus Lindberg, the Philharmonic's Marie Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence (premiered on the Opening Night of the 2009-10 season); Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique; Mahler's Symphony No. 3; Schoenberg's Pelleas and Melisande; Charles Ives's Symphony No. 2; Brahms's Violin Concerto with Frank Peter Zimmermann; Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with Emanuel Ax; and more. Also available at the launch are works recorded during the Philharmonic's historic concerts in Hanoi, Vietnam, led by Alan Gilbert, from October 2009, as well as bonus content from prior seasons, such as selections from Handel's Messiah, conducted by Mr. Gilbert in 2004. (See complete December release schedule below). Subsequent releases will include upcoming performances from the New York Philharmonic's 2009-10 season, including New York Philharmonic commissions and performances by guest conductors and soloists such as baritone Thomas Hampson, The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence, and many others. Recording releases for January-August 2010 will be announced at a later time.
