New York Classical Players, the region’s only professional orchestra exclusively to dedicated free performances, is thrilled to announce the details of its tenth anniversary season.
Under the direction of Founder and Music Director Dongmin Kim, the ensemble will dramatically expand the season’s offerings, premiere new works, and travel to South Korea for NYCP’s international debut.
NYCP’s 10th Anniversary Season features five orchestral performances, five chamber music concerts at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts, special concerts for families affected by autism, and the much-awaited return NYCP’s Artist-in-Residence, flutist Jasmine Choi. All performances are offered free of charge, guided by NYCP’s deep commitments to accessibility and community service.
The season begins in September with a three-concert series of lyrical Romantic masterworks, including Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, Wagner’s Prelude to Tristan und Isolde, Holst’s “Jupiter” movement from the Planets Suite and Bartok’s Divertimento: each of these works, arranged for string orchestra, showcases the compact power and virtuosity of the ensemble.
In November, NYCP offers a program framed by musical responses to loss. Ravel’s gripping Pavane Pour une Infante Defunte (Pavane for a dead princess), originally written for solo piano, is transformed into a dynamic palette for a full string orchestra. Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu’s Requiem complements the work, framed by two of Mozart’s symphonic selections. Celebrated violinist Miriam Fried, hailed for her“fiery intensity and emotional depth” (Musical America), and Hsin-Yun Huang, one of the world’s leading violists, join NYCP for Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante.
In February, the ensemble explores Bach’s timeless and forward-thinking works in concert with selections by Elgar, and a new commission by Patrick Zimmerli. Fluent in classical styles and jazz, Zimmerli’s Concerto for Flute, Percussion and reunites NYCP with its star Artist-in-Residence, Jasmine Choi. Concertmaster Siwoo Kim treats audiences to two solo concerto performances, joined by star oboist James Austin Smith.
The ensemble looks towards the Romantic era in April with a new arrangement of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1 performed by the BBC New Generation Artist Tai Murray, and two Rossini sonatas for strings.
In May, the orchestra concludes with a Beethoven & Britten program featuring two of Beethoven’s piano concertos. Pianist HaeSun Paik rejoins the ensemble for this powerhouse program, completing her stunning quest to perform all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos with NYCP.
NYCP resumes its long-standing relationship with the New York City Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center with a significant expansion of the ensemble’s chamber music programming: NYCP will offer five performances, rather than three, at the library’s stunning Bruno Walter Auditorium. The Library’s remarkable archives inspire the season’s diverse programs, and exhibit displays create opportunities for audiences to build connections with the enduring legacies of the composers and works.
Three of NYCP’s five programs explore Beethoven’s chamber music for string quartets, delving into his philosophical approaches and literary influences. NYCP’s artistry is augmented by the Library’s programs and exhibitions, including a rare copy of Beethoven’s favorite book – Strum’s Reflections On the Works of God, and His Providence Throughout All Nature, readings from NYC-based writers, and an original Beethoven manuscript – one of the most treasured items in the Library’s extraordinary collections.
Two final chamber music performances include a performance of Dvorak’s “American” quartet, paired with rare film footage of nineteenth century New York, and a musical meditation on war with selections by Britten and Shostakovich.
Outside of NYCP’s regular performance programs, the ensemble continues to share specially-adapted programs for families affected by autism. This series, entitled Together, offers opportunities for families to share classical music in an informal, comfortable environment. In the last year, NYCP launched this program with performances in Washington, DC and northern New Jersey.
In October 2019, NYCP travels to South Korea for a three-concert series in Seoul and Daegu. The tour begins with two performances at Seoul’s Lotte Concert Hall, joined by composer and trumpet player Brandon Ridenour. NYCP performs an eclectic program of familiar classical masterpieces, including an arrangement of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for Clarinet and String Orchestra (arranged by Texu Kim). Ridenour joins the ensemble for his exquisite arrangement of Five Beatles Songs for Trumpet. An ensemble of NYCP performers will also travel to La Paz, Bolivia for a wide-ranging performance of classical favorites, including Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” Broadway tunes, and selections by Puccini. Soprano Jung Nan Yoon joins NYCP for this special performance in Bolivia.
New York Classical Players is the region’s only professional orchestra sharing exclusively free performances. Comprised of creative and virtuosic young musicians, NYCP’s adventurous programming shares familiar masterpieces, bold new commissions, and unexpected musical treasures. Each season, thousands of NYCP concertgoers experience both the dynamic power of the orchestral repertoire and the versatile intimacy of chamber performance. NYCP is proud to collaborate with some of the world’s most renowned musicians, including Kim Kashkashian, Cho-Liang Lin, Stefan Jackiw, Sumi Jo, Alex Kerr, Donald Weilerstein, and Chee-Yun, and is under the baton of Music Director and Founder Dongmin Kim.
NYCP is thrilled to return to its partner venues at Flushing Town Hall, W83 Auditorium, Broadway Presbyterian Church, and West Side Presbyterian Church, in addition to its enduring partnership with the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
For more information, please visit NYCP online at www.nycpmusic.org.
Media Contact
Sarah Angello, general manager
sarah@nycpmusic.org