20.09.2016  Fancy staying up and watching a live concert by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on Facebook in the early hours of Thursday 22 Sept?

For the first time ever, you’ll be able to catch a New York Philharmonic concert from the comfort of your own phone or computer. The Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season Opening Gala Concert will be broadcast live on Facebook this Wednesday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m (US time).

For South African viewers this mean the concerts starts at 1:30am on Thursday morning.

Featuring Dvořák’s New World Symphony, the New York Premiere of John Corigliano’s STOMP for Orchestra, and Gershwin’s Concerto in F with pianist Aaron Diehl in his Philharmonic debut, the Opening Gala Concert kicks off The New World Initiative — a season-long, citywide project revolving around Dvořák’s New World Symphony and its theme of “home.” Throughout the 2016–17 season, The New World Initiative will explore the New World Symphony through performances, community outreach, and education projects on the occasion of the Philharmonic’s 175th anniversary season, honoring the Orchestra’s hometown and its role as an adopted home for many.

Dvořák wrote the symphony, which features the Largo melody known as “Goin’ Home,” while he was living here in New York City. The Philharmonic gave the World Premiere of the New World Symphony in December 1893, marking the Orchestra’s first World Premiere of a work written in New York City that would become part of the standard repertoire.

Among The New World Initiative activities: the New York Philharmonic Education department is developing a curriculum for New York City public schools on the New World Symphony, and the Philharmonic is inviting New York City ensembles to join in by performing the symphony during the 2016–17 season. Check out the 74 ensembles and counting — receiving benefits like arrangements, marked conducting scores, and sheet music, and free access to the Opening Gala Concert dress rehearsal and Open Rehearsals throughout the season — and sign up to participate at newworldinitiative.com.

Source: http://www.nyphil.org