The New York Philharmonic announces Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, will return this June 13-16.
The Concert in the Parks series has become an iconic New York summer experience since it began in 1965. It transformed parks across the city into a patchwork of picnickers and allowed them to hear classical music under the stars. More than 15 million listeners have been delighted by the performances
since their inception.
“Music and nature — two vital human needs — come together with the Concerts in the Parks,” said NY Phil Chairman Emeritus Oscar S. Schafer. “More than any other experience, it is a time when New Yorkers can come together to simply enjoy themselves outdoors. Didi and I can’t wait to join tens of thousands of our neighbors and visitors to enjoy this magnificent Orchestra perform in parks across the city.” Music Director Jaap van Zweden will conduct the concerts, which take place at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 13); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 14); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 15); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 16).
Jaap van Zweden began his tenure as the 26th Music Director of the New York Philharmonic in September 2018. He has also served as Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 2012. He has conducted performances on three continents, and at age 19 he became the youngest-ever concertmaster of Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Speaking about the Concerts in the Parks, Zweden said “This season, I look forward to returning to conduct the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, which are such an important tradition in New York City. These special events give all New Yorkers, as well as visitors to our city, an opportunity to experience the NY Phil in beautiful outdoor settings and at the same time enjoy our New York City parks throughout all the boroughs.”
The program will include Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Rossini’s William Tell Overture, J. Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus Overture and On The Beautiful Blue Danube, and works by two New York Philharmonic Very Young Composers. All four outdoor performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude with fireworks. In addition, musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform a Free Indoor Concert, on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., at St. George Theatre in Staten Island.
Comments are closed.