Long one of the most respected American conductors of her generation, Alsop has gotten a lot of attention over the last few months: in July, she was appointed music director of the Baltimore Symphony (over the much-publicized objections of its musicians); last month, she won a $500,000 MacArthur Fellowship to support her work in contemporary music and audience outreach.

Previously music director of the Colorado Symphony, Alsop currently leads England's Bournemouth Symphony. Her recent recordings include a critically acclaimed disc of symphonies by Kurt Weill.

She appears with the New York Philharmonic starting October 14.