In Thursday’s (10/25) New York Times, Daniel J. Wakin writes, “The New York Philharmonic has extended the contract of its music director, Alan Gilbert, for three years, keeping him at the helm through at least the 2016-17 season. Mr. Gilbert, 45, is now in the fourth year of a five-year contract, so he will have led the orchestra for at least eight seasons after the new contract ends. … ‘There’s been a sense of inevitability for the renewal for some time now,’ Mr. Gilbert said in a telephone interview. ‘I feel closer and closer to the musicians as time goes on. I just feel that the relationship is deepening and getting stronger.’ … He said the five-year window allows the orchestra to move forward with new educational efforts; new ‘official partnerships and relationships,’ including a project in China; an expansion of its new music series, Contact!; and a deeper connection of the orchestra to New York. … Since taking over he has overseen several innovations and efforts: the creation of resident posts for performers and composers; the Contact! series; a project to perform and record the symphonies and concertos of Carl Nielsen; several weeks of performances dedicated to one composer (Brahms this year); and high-profile concert performances of big 20th-century works, including Ligeti’s ‘Grand Macabre’ and Janacek’s ‘Cunning Little Vixen.’ ”
Posted October 25, 2012
