The Festival kicks off on Oct. 2 with the New York Philharmonic, led by Alan Gilbert, making its Caramoor debut with an all-Beethoven program. The orchestra will be joined by superstar pianist Emanuel Ax.

The all-day Oct. 3 offerings begin with an afternoon Caramoor Cavalcade. The family-friendly lineup will welcome "musical pranksters" Polygraph Lounge, a storytime accompanied by the Escher String Quartet, and a trio of musicians who will fill the Sunken Garden with a program of French music.

That evening will be headlined by jazz icon Chick Corea in a rare solo appearance.

The Festival closes Oct. 4 with preeminent coloratura soprano Sumi Jo joining forces with musical director Will Crutchfield to present an intimate recital at the Rosen House Music Room.

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General Director Michael Barrett took a moment to talk about this new addition to the Caramoor calendar.

1. This is Caramoor's first ever Fall Festival. Why now?

The Fall Festival idea came from our recently completed Strategic Plan. We wanted to create a shoulder season here in the fall, when the weather is so beautiful and the leaves are changing. I was able to acquire sponsorship before last year's economic troubles, so we're ready to roll.

2. The New York Philharmonic, Chick Corea, and Sumi Jo will be performing during this first Fall Festival. How did you come up with that lineup?

You left out Emanuel Ax, and our family friendly Cavalcade on Saturday afternoon. It's a very densely programmed weekend, and I wanted to have a good balance of music for a variety of musical tastes, and to have a great afternoon for kids as well. I think we've covered lots of musical bases.

3. A prot_g_ of Leonard Bernstein, what did you learn from him that you have taken with you throughout your career?

A loving, respectful attitude toward your musicians, and the rigor of an artist's work, whether it's Stravinsky or Gershwin. And, that sharing your own joy for music is a good thing.

4. Do you prefer conducting or performing?

Conducting is performing; and yes, I prefer it.

5. This past summer festival featured jazz, opera, classical, and even pop! What will next years festival bring? Any new artistic initiatives?

Don't forget Sonidos Latinos, our Latin American music initiative. Next season we hope to have an additional emphasis on American chamber music.

6. When did your interest in classical music start?

I was hard-bitten by 14, but around serious music as a child.

7. Aside from piano, what other instruments do you play?

I've tried many, but the piano is my enduring love.

8. The success of Caramoor's Rising Stars mentoring program has inspired a new initiative known as the Vocal Rising Stars. The pilot program was a collaboration with the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS). How did you get involved with NYFOS?

I co-founded NYFOS with Steven Blier 22 years ago. NYFOS is a wonderful, necessary organization, doing unique work, and Steven is an inspiration.

9. Is Caramoor planning a 2010 Fall Festival?

Yes. Plans for next fall are already underway, and we are very excited about some of the prospective artists we are in talks with to headline next year's program.

10. What type of performances does Caramoor offer during the winter and spring?

We move indoors into our marvelous Music Room for about 15 concerts during the colder months. These are very intimate and gratifying concerts. Our mentoring programs (Instrumental and Vocal Rising Stars, and the Ernst Stiefel String Quartet) are also in residence. 5,000 school kids also visit us during the school year, so we're amazingly active.

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PROGRAM

The New York Philharmonic
Friday Oct. 2, 8 PM
Venetian Theater
Emanuel Ax, piano
New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor and Music Director

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92

Caramoor Cavalcade
Saturday Oct. 3 All Afternoon
1 PM Polygraph Lounge in Spanish Courtyard
2:30 PM Fun with Words and Music on the Tapestry Hedge lawn
4 PM Chamber Music in the Sunken Garden

An Evening with Chick Corea
Saturday Oct. 3 8 PM
Venetian Theater
Chick Corea, piano

Sumi Jo in Recital
Sunday Oct. 4, 4 PM
Music Room
Sumi Jo, soprano
Will Crutchfield, piano

For further information and tickets, visit Caramoor.

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Caramoor is the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen, who built their summer home _ now known as the historic Rosen House at Caramoor _ and filled it with their treasures. Walter Rosen was the master planner for the Caramoor estate, bringing to reality his dream of creating a place to entertain friends from around the world. Their musical evenings were the seeds of today's Caramoor International Music Festival. Realizing the pleasure their friends took in the beauty of Caramoor _ the house with its art collection, the gardens, and the musical programs on summer evenings _ the Rosens established a public charity in 1946 to open Caramoor to the community.