Semyon Bychkov To Return To The NY Philharmonic For Two Weeks This Spring

Semyon Bychkov will return to the New York Philharmonic to conduct two weeks of programs, including a US Premiere and a double piano concerto, written seven decades apart but both reacting to unrest in Europe; two symphonic works in the conductor's core repertoire; and a Very Young Composers presentation featuring works by students living in high-risk areas.

In the first week, Mr. Bychkov will conduct the US Premiere of Thomas Larcher's Symphony No. 2, Kenotaph, and Brahms's Symphony No. 4, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 27 at 8:00 p.m.; and Tuesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. The following week, Mr. Bychkov will lead Martin 's Concerto for Two Pianos, with Katia and Marielle Lab que as soloists, and Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben, Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m.; and Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 p.m.

Thomas Larcher dedicated his acclaimed Symphony No. 2, Kenotaph, to Semyon Bychkov, who conducted its World Premiere in March 2016 with the Vienna Philharmonic. The title refers to monuments for those who are buried elsewhere, and the symphony was written with the current European immigration crisis in mind. Thousands upon thousands of people drowned in the Mediterranean while all of Europe stood on the sidelines idly observing this tragedy or even looking away, the composer said. [The symphony] is a symbol for what has been going on and is still going on in the middle of Europe. Mr. Larcher received the 2018 Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco Musical Composition Prize for Kenotaph; previous recipients of the prize, awarded every three years, include Ligeti, Boulez, Carter, Gy rgy Kurt g, Peter E tv s, and George Benjamin.

Martin wrote his Concerto for Two Pianos in 1943 in New York City, where he had relocated as an exile during World War II. The Philharmonic's only previous performance of the work was in November 2007, with the same artistic team. The New York Times wrote that the New York Philharmonic was the ideal orchestra for the work, and Katia and Marielle Lab que were ready for every excess and played heroically . Mr. Bychkov was just what the doctor ordered.

The Saturday Matinee Concert on April 27 at 2:00 p.m. opens with Brahms's String Quartet No. 2 performed by the New York Philharmonic String Quartet and closes with Brahms's Symphony No. 4, led by Semyon Bychkov. It will be followed immediately by New York Philharmonic musicians performing original compositions by Very Young Composers from New York City and high-risk areas in the Middle East and South and Central Americas. The international students communicated with their counterparts in New York through Musical Postcards, an activity through which students from different countries share stories and musical ideas. Admission is included in the ticket for the Saturday Matinee Concert.

The New York Philharmonic will offer an allotment of free tickets to young people ages 13 26 for the concert on Friday, May 3 as part of Philharmonic Free Fridays.

Single tickets for the April 24 25, 27, and 30 performances start at $33. Single tickets for the May 2 4 performances start at $31. (Ticket prices subject to change.) Tickets to Open Rehearsals are $22. A limited number of $18 tickets for select concerts may be available for students within 10 days of the performance at nyphil.org/rush, or in person the day of; valid identification is required. The New York Philharmonic is offering an allotment of free tickets to young people ages 13 26 for the concert Friday, May 3 as part of Philharmonic Free Fridays; learn more at nyphil.org/freefridays.

Tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased at the David Geffen Hall Box Office. The Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. On performance evenings, the Box Office closes one-half hour after performance time; other evenings it closes at 6:00 p.m.

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