David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center will be buzzing with a crescendo of New York Philharmonic performances slated for its 2020-21 season.
In his third consecutive season, Dutch native and NYPHL musical director Jaap van Zweden will be in charge of the many creative, progressive, and classic performances that the philharmonic is scheduled for.
On the more fun side of things, the NYPHL will play the scores of four films: Max Steiner’s Oscar nominated work for Casablanca on Nov. 4-5, then the John Williams’ scores for both Raiders of the Lost Arc and Home Alone on Nov. 6–7 (Raiders) and Dec. 18-19 (Home Alone), concluding with the grammy nominated Back to the Future theme by Alan Silvestri (who also did the Avengers score) on May 6-8, 2021.
Those performances will be set and paired to a live screening of each notable film held at Lincoln Center.
The NYPHL will also bring back its Project 19 for a sequel season.
In a musical recognition of the centennial anniversary for the ratification of women’s suffrage, the NYPHL celebrates that 19th Constitutional amendment through 19 commissions entirely by women composers.
Season two will continue by adding in eight new works by Du Yun, Mary Kouyoumdjian, Jessie Montgomery, Angélica Negrón, Caroline Shaw, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Joan Tower, and Melinda Wagner.
The NYPHL concludes 2021 with the US Premiere of György Kurtág / Samuel Beckett’s Fin de partie
Completed in 2017, this opera is considered to be the 93-year-old composer magnum opus according to the philharmonic. It is based on Beckett’s “tragicomic” play Fin de partie. At the urging of fellow composer Ligeti, Kurtág saw the play the year it opened, calling it “one of the strongest experiences in my life.”
Van Zweden also spoke on the philharmonic’ community oriented events such as its “Phil The Hall” discount evening as well as its “Concerts in the Parks” series.
“They are the backbone of this institution,” the director said, adding that “it is fantastic that we can open our doors for everybody through Phil the Hall.”
Other highlights for the NYPHL this season include violin solos from virtuoso Joshua Bell, the Nightcap series of late evening performances, and of course the beloved Young People’s Concerts, which introduce classical music to children in a friendly, invigorating, and sophisticated manor.
View the full rendition of the New York Philharmonic’s 2020-21 season here.
