New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Republic of Georgia Cancelled

Two previously announced concerts of the New York Philharmonic in the Republic of Georgia have been cancelled by the Government of Georgia. The concerts were to have taken place October 21 (Tbilisi) and 22 (Batumi), 2010, and were to have been the New York Philharmonic's debut in Georgia, and the opening concerts of the Orchestra's EUROPE / AUTUMN 2010 tour.

Following an invitation from the Government of Georgia in October 2009, and a visit there in late February 2010 by New York Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta, with key staff members and associates, the Philharmonic worked closely and cooperatively with the Georgian Ministry of Culture to plan the logistical and operational aspects of the journey. This project
was pursued by the New York Philharmonic in a spirit of trust and good will, to bring its music to a reemerging nation with a rich cultural history. On Friday, September 10, 2010, the Philharmonic received a letter from the Government of Georgia stating that, the negotiated agreement for these concerts notwithstanding, the visit was cancelled. Although the terms had been clearly agreed for many months, the correspondence cited budgetary constraints. Despite the advocacy of senior U.S. officials, the Government of Georgia has declined to reverse its decision. This unilateral dismissal of an agreement by the Government of Georgia comes at considerable cost to the New York Philharmonic.

"The New York Philharmonic has embarked, proudly, on milestone journeys of cultural exchange, to vanguard destinations, at key moments in its prolific history," said Zarin Mehta. "We have been treated consistently with the respect and dignity I believe this great institution, its Musicians, and its Music Director have earned and deserve. I am frankly shocked at this action on the part of the
Government of Georgia, and regret the unfortunate culmination of this honorable pursuit. It will not deter us from future, similar, worthy undertakings."

The EUROPE / WINTER 2010 tour of the New York Philharmonic will now begin in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sunday, October 24. The remainder of the announced itinerary is unchanged.

The full schedule follows:
Alan Gilbert
Music Director
Gary W. Parr
Chairman
Zarin Mehta
President and
Executive Director
Communications
EUROPE / AUTUMN 2010
Alan Gilbert AND THE New York Philharmonic
Concert Schedule
All information is subject to change
Date Location Program
Sunday
October 24
8:00 p.m.
Sava Center
Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
DEBUSSY: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Tuesday
October 26
8:00 p.m.
Cankarjev Dom
Ljubljana, Republic of Slovenia
Alan Gilbert, conductor
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
R. WAGNER: Prelude and Liebestod from
Tristan und Isolde
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Thursday
October 28
7:30 p.m.
Filharmonia Narodowa
Warsaw, Poland
Alan Gilbert, conductor
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
R. WAGNER: Prelude and Liebestod from
Tristan und Isolde
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Friday
October 29
7:30 p.m.
Filharmonia Narodowa
Warsaw, Poland
Alan Gilbert, conductor
TBA, piano* (Winner of 2010
International Frédéric Chopin
Piano Competition)
BEETHOVEN: Egmont Overture
CHOPIN: Piano Concerto TBA (with Chopin Winner)
DEBUSSY: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
HINDEMITH: Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes
of Carl Maria von Weber
Saturday
October 30
7:00 p.m.
Lithuanian National Opera &
Ballet Theatre
Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania
Alan Gilbert, conductor
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
HINDEMITH: Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes
of Carl Maria von Weber
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Monday
November 1
8:00 p.m.
Laeiszhalle
Hamburg, Germany
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
DEBUSSY: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
HINDEMITH: Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes
of Carl Maria von Weber
Tuesday
November 2
8:00 p.m.
Salle Pleyel
Paris, France
Alan Gilbert, conductor
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
R. WAGNER: Prelude and Liebestod from
Tristan und Isolde
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Wednesday
November 3
8:00 p.m.
Philharmonie Luxembourg
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
DEBUSSY: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
SIBELIUS: Violin Concerto
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
HINDEMITH: Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes
of Carl Maria von Weber
Thursday
November 4
8:00 p.m.
Philharmonie Luxembourg
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Alan Gilbert, conductor
BEETHOVEN: Egmont Overture
R. WAGNER: Prelude and Liebestod from
Tristan und Isolde
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
* denotes New York Philharmonic debut