JAAP VAN ZWEDEN and the NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC 2019–20 SEASON
THE OPENING WEEKS
World Premiere by Philip Glass
Fully Staged Production of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, with Nina Stemme, and Schoenberg’s Erwartung
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PROJECT 19:
19 Commissions by Women Composers, Celebrating the Centennial of the 19th Amendment
Unsuk Chin, Mary Kouyoumdjian, Joan La Barbara, Tania León, Nicole Lizée, Caroline Mallonee,
Jessie Montgomery, Angélica Negrón, Olga Neuwirth, Paola Prestini, Ellen Reid, Maria Schneider, Caroline Shaw,
Sarah Kirkland Snider, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Joan Tower, Melinda Wagner, Nina C. Young, Du Yun
HOTSPOTS
3-Week Spotlight on Global Hotbeds of Musical Innovation
BERLIN: Olga Neuwirth World Premiere
REYKJAVÍK: Nico Muhly World Premiere
NEW YORK: Sarah Kirkland Snider World Premiere
MAHLER’S NEW YORK
Celebrating Mahler’s Time in New York as Composer and Philharmonic Music Director
In New York and on 2020 European Tour,
Opening Concertgebouw’s Mahler Festival as First American Orchestra in Its 100-Year History
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Artist-in-Residence Daniil Trifonov
Two Concertos, 2020 European Tour, Recital, Chamber Music
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Björk Songs with Renée Fleming
Phil the Hall 2020
Other Premieres and Commissions: Bryce Dessner, Steve Reich, Brett Dean
Nightcap and Sound ON with Creative Partner Nadia Sirota as Host
The New York Philharmonic’s 2019–20 season, Jaap van Zweden’s second as Music Director, will fuse past and present, representing today’s composers and the new-music landscape while reflecting on relevant historic achievements. As in van Zweden’s inaugural season, the Philharmonic reaffirms its vital commitments to serving as New York’s Orchestra and to championing new music. The season is also distinguished by dynamic collaborations with groundbreaking artists, as well as landmark appearances in the US and abroad.
Jaap van Zweden said: “What a joy it is to collaborate with the great musicians of the New York Philharmonic. While our first season together concentrated almost exclusively on performing in New York, our 2019–20 season not only deepens that relationship but also connects us to audiences in Europe and Asia, including some milestone performances for the Orchestra. There are so many season highlights to look forward to, among them a concentration on our beloved Mahler both in New York and on tour, an innovative, immersive staging of Bluebeard’s Castle and Erwartung, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, and many World Premieres woven throughout the entire season, most of them by women as part of our Project 19 initiative. I also look forward to conducting my first Young People’s Concert for our future audiences!”
President and CEO Deborah Borda stated: “The 2019–20 season continues the New York Philharmonic’s commitment to exploring the music of our time and our place in the artistic ‘ecosystem’ of New York — indeed, the world. We set our offerings in context — how they relate to today’s cultural zeitgeist as well as to the past. Project 19 celebrates a tectonic shift in American culture — the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment — by commissioning 19 women composers. Our hotspots festival explores three capitals of music, ending up, of course, in New York City. There will be seven World Premieres, six conducted by Jaap van Zweden, and we honor a past maestro in Mahler’s New York, fêting him at home and at his namesake festival.”
MUSIC DIRECTOR JAAP VAN ZWEDEN’S SECOND SEASON
In his second season as Music Director, Jaap van Zweden will conduct a wide range of repertoire, including six World Premieres and symphonic cornerstones. As in his inaugural season, he has prioritized connecting with New York City through impactful projects, special concerts, and collaborations with other cultural institutions. Jaap van Zweden will also lead the Orchestra on the international stage, both in China and on his first European tour as Music Director.