NY Phil's Music Series CONTACT! to Expand to New Venues for 2013–14 Season

Entering its fifth season in 2013-14, CONTACT!, the New York Philharmonic's new-music series, is extending its reach by presenting more concerts in new venues including SubCulture - a new arts venue in downtown Manhattan - in partnership with 92nd Street Y, and The Museum of Modern Art. The upcoming season of CONTACT! will feature four concert programs, an expansion over previous seasons. Dedicated to the works of emerging and iconic contemporary composers, CONTACT! in the 2013-14 season will feature works for ensembles of New York Philharmonic musicians as well as programs of solo works performed by Philharmonic musicians and distinguished guests.

The New York Philharmonic and 92nd Street Y will co-curate three programs at SubCulture, a new, intimate space hosting eclectic music and creative arts performances in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood. The concerts will feature a program focused on works by composerconductor Esa-Pekka Salonen; a performance by The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-inResidence Yefim Bronfman and musicians from the Orchestra; and a concert that includes World Premiere-New York Philharmonic Commissions of solo works by young American composers. The fourth CONTACT! program, co-presented by the New York Philharmonic and The Museum of Modern Art, is titled Beyond Recall and features 11 U.S. Premieres of music inspired by art works selected for the Salzburg Art Project, conducted by Matthias Pintscher and performed by New York Philharmonic musicians.The program of solo works by young American composers and Beyond Recall are both part of the inaugural NY PHIL BIENNIAL (May 28-June 7, 2014), a kaleidoscopic exploration of today's music by a wide range of contemporary and modern composers

Christopher Rouse, who in 2013-14 will be completing the second in his two-year term as The Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence, advises the Philharmonic on the CONTACT! series. One of America's most prominent composers of orchestral music, Mr. Rouse won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his Trombone Concerto, commissioned and premiered by the New York Philharmonic. Alan Gilbert said: "CONTACT! is essentially about making contact with a fresh, excited, exciting audience, with new music that is absolutely important to play," said Alan Gilbert. "We have always felt it important for the series to reach across New York City, with performances in more intimate spaces not necessarily associated with the formality of a New York Philharmonic concert. This coming season brings CONTACT! as far south as NoHo, where SubCulture offers a great energy that perfectly matches the atmosphere we want for these concerts."

Christopher Rouse said: "CONTACT! has been involved in commissioning and giving premieres of works by emerging composers, so it's a wonderful opportunity for young composers. I think that's an important part of the mission."

Hanna Arie-Gaifman, director of 92nd Street Y's Tisch Center for the Arts, said: "CONTACT! is more than a symbolic title for this series. It really points to the relationship between today's music, composers, musicians, audience, and all of us who make music happen. It also hints at the creative nature of the partnership between 92nd Street Y and the New York Philharmonic: innovative, energetic, and, like the music we jointly present, quite intimate. I am thrilled that 92nd Street Y's participation in CONTACT! is part of the NY PHIL BIENNIAL and its celebration of the life and creation of music today,
here and now."