Alan Gilbert has co-curated the second NY PHIL BIENNIAL, a wide-ranging exploration of today’s music by an array of contemporary and modern composers taking place From May 23 to June 11. A flagship project that marks one of the most significant innovations of his tenure, the NY PHIL BIENNIAL is a kaleidoscopic, citywide new-music immersion that proved a resounding success at its launch two years ago, when the New York Times called it “perhaps the most ambitious and extensive contemporary-music festival yet overseen by an American orchestra.”

June 3 through 5, Alan conducts the Ensemble of the Lucerne Festival Alumni at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in “Ligeti Forward”, three programs exploring György Ligeti as a fountainhead of modern music ten years after the composer’s death. Three of Ligeti’s concertos — featuring pianist Conor Hanick, cellist Jay Campbell and violinist Pekka Kuusisto, respectively — are paired with works by composers including Marc-André Dalbavie and John Zorn. All three concerts will be webcast live on metmuseum.org.

Alan and the New York Philharmonic present works by two American composers of the same generation on June 10 at David Geffen Hall. Opening the program is the world premiere of a Trombone Concerto by William Bolcom featuring Philharmonic Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi. The New York Premiere of John Corigliano’s Conjurer follows with percussionist Martin Grubinger as soloist.

Alan and the New York Philharmonic present the 2016 NY PHIL BIENNIAL finale on June 11 at David Geffen Hall. Per Nørgård’s Symphony No. 8 has its US premiere, followed by Messagesquisse by former New York Philharmonic Music Director Pierre Boulez, in tribute to the late composer/conductor and champion of the music of our time. The evening closes with New York premiere of the Second Concerto for Orchestra by Pulitzer Prize winner Steven Stucky, in honor of the late composer.

Banner Photo: © Chris Lee