Concert Review: Moon Dreams and Street Players

The New York Philharmonic makes CONTACT!
by Paul J. Pelkonen

An astronaut footprint from the Apollo 11 mission, on the Sea of Tranquility.

The New York Philharmonic's biannual CONTACT! series allows Alan Gilbert and company to break free of their usual digs at Avery Fisher Hall to explore works by cutting-edge composers. On Friday night, the wood panels of Grace Rainey Rodgers Auditorium (tucked neatly between Arms and Armor and the Egyptian Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art) resounded to the sounds of the 21st century.

The Superconductor Interview: Liang Wang

The Philharmonic's principal oboe makes CONTACT!
by Paul J. Pelkonen

Oboist Liang Wang and friend. 

"Many oboe players are a little crazy."

The speaker is Liang Wang, principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic. will play the first performances of Poul Ruders' Oboe Concerto at  CONTACT!, the orchestra's twice-a-year exposition for new music and modern composers.