NY Phil's Alan Gilbert and Matthew VanBesien to Explore 21st-Century Orchestra in 'Insights Series', Beg. 3/3

The 2013-14 season of the New York Philharmonic's Insights Series - free events in which artists and experts explore some of the season's themes and concerts - will continue Monday, March 3, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. with "The 21st-Century Orchestra: A Conversation with Music Director Alan Gilbert and Executive Director Matthew VanBesien."

They will speak about their aspirations for the New York Philharmonic, both in New York and around the world, and about what an orchestra should be in light of today's economic and cultural shifts. All events in this free series take place at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center (Columbus Avenue at 62nd Street) at 7:30 p.m. and are co-presented with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Insights Series will continue with "Leonard Bernstein Emerges: Defying Boundaries and Challenging Racial Politics During World War II," April 7, 2014, presented by Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence Carol J. Oja; "The Pinnacle of Cycles: Pianist Yefim Bronfman on Beethoven's Piano Concertos," May 20, 2014, moderated by Carol J. Oja (in anticipation of The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence Yefim Bronfman's performances during The Beethoven Piano Concertos: A Philharmonic Festival, June 11-28, 2014); and discussions relating to the NY PHIL BIENNIAL, the details of which will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit nyphil.org/insights.

Insights Series Participants:

Music Director Alan Gilbert began his New York Philharmonic tenure in September 2009, the first native New Yorker in the post. He and the Philharmonic have introduced the positions of The Marie-Jose?e Kravis Composer-in-Residence and The Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in- Residence; CONTACT!, the new-music series; and, beginning in the spring of 2014, the NY PHIL BIENNIAL.

In addition to inaugurating the NY PHIL BIENNIAL, in the 2013-14 season Alan Gilbert conducts Mozart's three final symphonies; the U.S. Premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's Frieze with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony; world premieres; an all-Britten program celebrating the composer's centennial; the score from 2001: A Space Odyssey as the film was screened; and a staged production of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd starring Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson. He continues The Nielsen Project - the multi-year initiative to perform and record the Danish composer's symphonies and concertos, the first release of which was named by The New York Times as among the Best Classical Music Recordings of 2012 - and presides over a tour of Asia. Last season's highlights included Bach's B-minor Mass; Ives's Fourth Symphony; a European tour; and A Dancer's Dream, a multidisciplinary reimagining of Stravinsky ballets with Giants Are Small and New York City Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns.

Director of Conducting and Orchestral Studies and the William Schuman Chair in Musical Studies at The Juilliard School, Mr. Gilbert is Conductor Laureate of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductor of Hamburg's NDR Symphony Orchestra, and he conducts leading orchestras around the world. His recordings have garnered two Grammy Awards, and his honors include an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from The Curtis Institute of Music and Columbia University's Ditson Conductor's Award.

Matthew VanBesien is the Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic. Prior to coming to New York, Mr. VanBesien served as managing director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (2010-12); this followed positions at the Houston Symphony as executive director and chief executive officer (2005-10) and general manager (2003-05). He is a member of the Board of Overseers for The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and a former Board Director for Symphony Services International (formerly Symphony Australia).

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. VanBesien earned a bachelor of music degree in French horn performance from Indiana University. As a professional musician, he was second French horn of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans from 1992 to 2000. In the 2001- 02 season he completed the League of American Orchestras' Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, a highly selective, year-long management training program designed to develop orchestral leadership talent. During this fellowship he worked at the Aspen Music Festival, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Matthew VanBesien is married to Rosanne Jowitt, a geoscientist.

Insights Series events are free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first- served basis. Subscribers, Friends at the Affiliate level and above, and Patrons may secure guaranteed admission by emailing AdultEd@nyphil.org. Space is limited.

Pictured: New York Philharmonic Executive Director Matthew VanBesien and Music Director Alan Gilbert. Photo by Chris Lee.