NY Philharmonic Names New Music Director

Ending years of speculation over the successor to Lorin Maazel, who said in 2004 that he would leave after the 2008-2009 season, The New York Philharmonic has chosen a native son - 40-year-old Alan Gilbert - to become its music director. He will lead an ensemble that includes his mother. Ma, tune up!

Gilbert told Das Times he has no plans yet for the Philharmonic. But he said he wants to see it "connecting with the city in a way that's really fresh and really alive and really current." He said his job would be to keep the orchestra at its musical best.

Gilbert, chief conductor of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra since 1999, first led the New York Philharmonic in October 2001. Since that season, he has conducted the orchestra in extended appearances. It is possible Gilbert will commute from Stockholm, Sweden, to New York City during his first season as the new music director. Ok, thats cool, but don't make me pay for that shit. I commute from Brooklyn.

Gilbert's parents have performed as violinists in the Philharmonic: Yoko Takebe, who is with the orchestra, and Michael Gilbert, who retired in 2001. Gilbert was born in New York in 1967 and began playing violin and viola at a young age. He continues to perform as a chamber musician, having studied at Harvard University and The Juilliard School, among other conservatories. He has won numerous awards. [nyphil.org]