This season Carnegie Hall looks to America's own dynamic culture as a source of enduring and inspirational music with two major festivals: Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds and Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy, curated by Jessye Norman. Other highlights include Perspectives concerts by Daniel Barenboim and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, a Mahler cycle, a celebration of Hungarian music, the completion of Andršs Schiff's two-season cycle of Beethoven sonatas, and the appointment of Elliott Carter‹who turns 100 in December‹as the Richard and Barbara Debs Composer's Chair. And, of course, Carnegie Hall continues to offer the world's greatest orchestras, chamber groups, soloists, and vocalists, as well as the finest in jazz, folk, pop, and world music.
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds
Commemorating the 90th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth and the 50th anniversary of his appointment as music director of the New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic present a celebration featuring more than 30 events in seven venues throughout New York City. Symphonies, choral masterworks (including the monumental Mass), soundtracks, ballet scores, musical theater, and much more provide a spectacular overview of Bernstein's wide-ranging genius. From September to December 2008.
Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy
The Spiritual. Blues. Gospel. Jazz. Rhythm and blues. Soul. Hip-hop. Classical music. Jessye Norman invites you on a personal journey honoring African American trailblazers of the past and celebrating the stars of today in a festival including concerts, recitals, lectures, panel discussions, and exhibitions at Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and other sites around the city. Performances by Norman, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others. March 2009.
Perspectives: Daniel Barenboim
In his dual role as conductor and pianist, Barenboim returns to Carnegie Hall for his second Perspectives‹sharing duties with Pierre Boulez in leading the Staatskapelle Berlin's traversal of the complete Mahler symphonies, joining James Levine and The MET Chamber Ensemble, celebrating Elliott Carter's 100th-birthday, and appearing as piano soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. As part of his Perspectives, Barenboim also appears at the Metropolitan Opera, performing a solo piano recital there and conducting Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. December 2008 and May 2009.
Mahler: The Symphonies in Sequence
Two legendary maestros, Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez, lead the Staatskapelle Berlin in the complete symphonies of Gustav Mahler, performed in chronological order. An unparalleled view into Mahler's lifelong creative path, from the exuberant Romanticism of his First Symphony to the haunting music of his last. May 2009.
Andršs Schiff: Beethoven Piano Sonatas
For Andršs Schiff, each Beethoven piano sonata "is a masterpiece of individualization and character," and this virtuoso reveals his distinctive interpretation of these works next season, completing the Beethoven cycle that he began in 2007-08. Listen as the esteemed pianist adds his own touch to such beloved masterpieces as the "Waldstein," "Appassionata," and "Hammerklavier" sonatas. October 2008 and April 2009.
Celebrating Hungary
This two-week celebration of Hungary's folk music, symphonic classics, and new works, performed by today's most noted Hungarian musicians, features the first New York appearances of composer Gy‹rgy Kurtšg, who performs his own music with his wife, pianist Mšrta Kurtšg. Also included is Haydn's greatest oratorio, The Creation. January and February 2009.
Perspectives: Zakir Hussain
Percussionist Hussain will perform with his group Masters of Percussion and appear with santoor virtuoso Shivkumar Sharma. No stranger to high-profile collaborations, Hussain joins American double-bass wizard Edgar Meyer (with whom he shares two Grammys) and banjo virtuoso B_la Fleck. A longtime mentor and teacher, Hussain will also lead aspiring players in a Professional Training Workshop. April 2009.
Saluting Andr_ Previn at 80
Previn has created award-winning scores for Hollywood and Broadway, performed as both a jazz and classical pianist, conducted all over the world, and composed music for the concert stage. This season, Carnegie Hall celebrates the multifaceted artist with events reflecting his remarkable creative breadth. April 2009.
Elliott Carter
Perhaps America's most important living composer, Elliott Carter assumes the Richard and Barbara Debs Composer's Chair for the 2008-2009 season. Highlights include the New York premiere of Carter's Interventions by James Levine and the Boston Symphony‹with Daniel Barenboim at the piano‹on the composer's 100th birthday, and performances by pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Pierre Boulez, The MET Chamber Ensemble with Levine, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.