Emmanuel Ax Named Honorary Member of NY Philharmonic-Symphony Society

Pianist Emanuel Ax was named an Honorary  Member of the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York last night, following his  100th performance with the Orchestra. The honor, created in 1843, is the highest given  by the New York Philharmonic, and in the course of its 169-year history, 65 people have  been recipients. Among the 46 honorees in the 19th century were composers Felix  Mendelssohn, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Anton Rubinstein,  and Antonín Dvo?ák. Since 1900 only 19 people have been so honored, including  Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Harry S. Truman; composers Igor Stravinsky, Paul  Hindemith, and Aaron Copland; philanthropists Andrew Carnegie and John D.  Rockefeller; conductors Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Pierre Boulez, Erich Leinsdorf,  and Lorin Maazel; soloists Rudolf Serkin and Isaac Stern; and former Philharmonic  Principal Clarinet Stanley Drucker. Mr. Ax becomes the 66th Honorary Member.

The honor was presented to Mr. Ax "in recognition of one of the most insightful and  virtuosic artists of our time; of his generous and gentle spirit; of his constant musical  curiosity; of the 100 unforgettable performances with our Orchestra in New York and around the world; of the many more collaborations to come; and in gratitude for this  splendid partnership, both on and off the stage; the high distinctions that he, as musician,  cherished friend, and citizen of the world, has brought to the Society and to our City for  nearly 35 years."

Zarin Mehta, President and Executive Director of the New York Philharmonic said:  "Manny Ax is beloved by musicians, audiences, and critics around the world, but  nowhere more so than by the New York Philharmonic. His musical brilliance and  versatility have greatly enriched our performances, and this honor is a fitting tribute to his  artistry."