The New York Philharmonic — a cultural leader in New York City, the United States, and the world — will connect with up to 50 million music lovers in the 2014–15 season through performances, education programs, and broadcasts. Having commissioned and/or premiered works by leading composers from every era, the Orchestra now champions contemporary music through CONTACT! and the NY PHIL BIENNIAL.
Other recent initiatives include the New York Philharmonic Global Academy, national and international partnerships to cultivate tomorrow’s orchestral musicians. Renowned around the world, having appeared in 432 cities in 63 countries, America’s oldest symphony orchestra has been a media pioneer, releasing almost 2,000 recordings since 1917 and today sharing live performances through downloads and online. Alan Gilbert became Music Director in 2009, succeeding 20th-century musical giants including Bernstein, Toscanini, and Mahler.