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New York Philharmonic
Tuesday Evening at 8pm

The New York Philharmonic is by far the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world. Founded in 1842 by a group of local musicians led by Americanborn Ureli Corelli Hill, the Philharmonic performed its 15,000th concert on May 5, 2010 – with nearly 47 million listeners – a milestone unmatched by any other orchestra in the world. The Orchestra has always played a leading role in American musical life, championing the music of its time. It is renowned around the globe having appeared in 429 cities in 62 countries, including an historic February 2008 visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, where it performed a concert at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre in the capital city of Pyongyang, which was broadcast live in the United States and around the world.

The Philharmonic has made nearly 2,000 recordings since 1917, with more than 500 currently available. They are the first major American orchestra to offer downloadable concerts recorded live. Following on this innovation, in 2009 the Orchestra announced the first-ever subscription download series: Alan Gilbert: The Inaugural Season, available exclusively in iTunes, produced and distributed by the New York Philharmonic, and comprising more than 50 works performed during the 2009-10 season. Last season the Orchestra released another iTunes pass: Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic: 2010-11 Season. The Orchestra has also built on the long-running Young People’s Concerts® to develop a wide range of education programs, including the School Partnership Program, enriching music education in New York City, and Learning Overtures, fostering international exchange.

Succeeding Lorin Maazel in a distinguished line of musical giants, Alan Gilbert became Music Director in September 2009 and in October, the New York Philharmonic toured Asia. The tour highlight included two concerts at the Hanoi Opera House, performances in Tokyo, Japan, and their debut in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.