Carnegie Hall’s 2008–2009 Season Opens

Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director, today announced Carnegie Hall’s 2008–2009 season featuring more than 200 performances by many of the world’s finest artists, presented on Carnegie Hall’s three stages and throughout New York City in collaborations with many of the city’s leading cultural institutions. Major highlights of Carnegie Hall’s new season include two complementary citywide festivals that celebrate the dynamic culture and distinctive history of American music—Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, commemorating the life of iconic American musician Leonard Bernstein, co-presented with the New York Philharmonic in fall 2008, and Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy, curated by Jessye Norman in spring 2009.

“With two major festivals in 2008–2009, we build on our programming approach launched in 2007–2008. Working in partnership with many great New York City cultural institutions, we are offering audiences exciting journeys across a broad cultural spectrum, inspired and drawn together by compelling themes,” said Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director. “Following our current major international focus, our 2008–2009 season pays tribute to the remarkable contribution that the United States has made to world culture, with celebrations of Leonard Bernstein, the African American cultural legacy, and Elliott Carter’s 100th birthday, featuring concerts, special events, and major educational initiatives. Building on Carnegie Hall’s remarkable history, our goal is to ensure that our institution, through its programming, continues to play a central part in broadening the role and relevance of arts and culture in the lives of the people of this great city and beyond.”

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TWO MAJOR FESTIVALS EXPLORE AMERICA’S RICH MUSICAL HERITAGE:
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds Commemorating Leonard Bernstein—Fall 2008
Honor! A Celebration of the African American Cultural Legacy Curated by Jessye Norman—Spring 2009

CARNEGIE HALL PERSPECTIVES ENTERS 10TH SEASON:
Acclaimed Conductor-Pianist Daniel Barenboim in 15-Event Series Culminating in a Complete Mahler Symphony Cycle Led by Barenboim and Pierre Boulez
Tabla Virtuoso Zakir Hussain Showcased in Five EventsCollaborating with Wide Range of Artists,

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Leonard Bernstein Tribute

Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic today announced Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds, a city-wide festival celebrating one of the most important international musicians of the 20th century and a quintessential New Yorker—Leonard Bernstein—in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of his birth and the 50th anniversary of his appointment as the Music Director of the New York Philharmonic.

Recognizing Bernstein’s many roles as performer, composer, educator, advocate, and idealist, this special festival, presented from September 24 to December 13, 2008, will feature more than 30 events at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, New York City Center, and venues throughout New York City.

The celebration, reflecting Bernstein’s multi-faceted artistry and work in diverse musical genres, will include concerts, recitals, musical theater, lectures, and film screenings, as well as family and educational programming, illustrating the breadth of this legendary artist’s contributions to music history on both the American and international music scenes.“All of us at Carnegie Hall are very proud to be presenting—jointly with his great orchestra, the New York Philharmonic—this special celebration of Leonard Bernstein," said Carnegie Hall's Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson. "Lenny appeared on Carnegie Hall's stage more than 400 times in his career, with audiences experiencing his talents as performer, composer, and master educator. Well beyond our walls, he inspired an entire generation, bringing music to the center of people’s lives all around the world.

A celebration of Lenny is a celebration of life and a celebration of music. His love of life and of music, allied to his insatiable curiosity, inspired everyone, informing our appreciation and understanding of music for a lifetime. We look forward to joining our partners in placing special focus on someone who was not only a remarkable artist and a great New Yorker, but also someone who truly belonged to the world. Lenny was music!"“Leonard Bernstein’s New York Philharmonic legacy is like no other. From the moment of his legendary conducting debut in 1943 to his final concert, from the players on stage to adoring audiences in New York and around the world, Leonard Bernstein inspired nearly everyone he encountered,” said New York Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta. “Even today, Lenny’s legacy—as conductor, composer, and educator—continues to resonate throughout the New York Philharmonic. We look forward to celebrating Leonard Bernstein and his music with our partner, Carnegie Hall, and hope that all New Yorkers will join us.”

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