Alan Gilbert & New York Philharmonic Launch 174th Seaso

Music Director Alan Gilbert opens the New York Philharmonic's 2015-16 season with two programs marking major moments for the Orchestra. Mr. Gilbert will conduct the Philharmonic's inaugural performance in its home under its new name, David Geffen Hall, with an Opening Gala Concert featuring Grieg's Piano Concerto, with Lang Lang as soloist, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, Wednesday, September 24, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be nationally telecast that night on Live From Lincoln Center on PBS stations at 8:00 p.m. ET (check local listings) and broadcast live on WQXR, New York's classical station, at 105.9 FM and wqxr.org at 7:30 p.m.

Then, in the season's first subscription program the following night, Mr. Gilbert will conduct LA Variations, the first work by The Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence Esa-Pekka Salonen of his three-season tenure, and Philharmonic audiences will be introduced to newly appointed Concertmaster Frank Huang playing the concertmaster solos in Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben. The program takes place Friday, September 25, 2015, at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. Continuing Philharmonic Free Fridays in the 2015-16 season, 100 free tickets will be made available for young people ages 13-26 to the concert Friday, September 25.

"I love LA Variations," said Music Director Alan Gilbert. "I feel very close to its explosion of energy that is as appropriate to New York as it is to Los Angeles. Of course there will be pressure when I conduct it, with Esa-Pekka sitting in the audience, but turning over a piece to other interpreters is a crucial stage in the life of a great work like this."

"I learn new things when a talented colleague conducts my music. As a composer, that is the best possible experience," said Esa-Pekka Salonen. "I'm very lucky to work with the Philharmonic during a period that I'm sure will become known as one of its golden periods" Esa-Pekka Salonen will serve as The Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence through the 2017-18 season. In addition to LA Variations, during his first season the Orchestra will perform the New York Premiere-Philharmonic co-commission of Karawane (March 2016) and the World Premiere of a new work by Mr. Salonen as part of the NY PHIL BIENNIAL (May-June 2016).

In addition, the Finnish composer-conductor will curate and host two concerts as part of CONTACT! the new-music series (February and March 2016), one of which will feature his Floof; conduct Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie during the Philharmonic's Messiaen Week (March 2016); and advise on new-music programming. Speaking about newly appointed Concertmaster Frank Huang, Alan Gilbert said: "Strauss's Ein Heldenleben is the best possible way to welcome Frank Huang as the new Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. There is a subtlety to the art of being a great concertmaster. He or she must be a great instrumentalist - a soloist, a technical wizard - while also being a strong leader and a strong follower, a strong consensus builder, and, at times, a forceful presence.

Happily, Frank Huang fits the description." "It is a privilege to join this ensemble of incredibly talented musicians, and my deepest appreciation goes out to Alan Gilbert and the members of the Philharmonic for their belief in me," said Frank Huang. "Ein Heldenleben is one of those works with lots of room for the concertmaster to interpret and give each violin solo its own personality. There is so much variety in these solos - quirkiness, beautiful moments, and dramatic qualities. It's really fun to put personality into them." The New York Philharmonic will also perform the opening subscription program in one of three concerts as part of its residency partnership with the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan, October 9-11, 2015.

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