A big night for Polish music with David Robertson and the NY Phil

Leila Josefowicz, David Ronertson and the New York Philharmonic

David Robertson conducts the New York Philharmonic

By Susan Stempleski, 28 September 2025

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“Josefowicz... conveyed its ebullient, rebellious spirit”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, New York City on 27 September 2025

Bates, Devil’s Radio (NY premiere)

Szymanowski, Violin Concerto no. 2, Op.61

Salonen, Lachen verlernt (excerpt)

Lutosławski, Concerto for Orchestra

Leila Josefowicz, Violin

New York Philharmonic

David Robertson, Conductor

Semyon Bychkov conducts a triumphant New York Phil season finale

Susan Stempleski, 4th June

The Soviet-born American conductor delivers a robust account of Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony in the final program of the Philharmonic’s subscription season.

****1

Elim Chan takes the New York Philharmonic to the ball

Susan Stempleski, 27th May

The Hong Kong-born conductor conducts a masterful performance of selections from Prokofiev’s Cinderella and Philharmonic Principal Carter Brey bids farewell in Saint-Saëns’ First Cello Concerto.

****1

Memorable Mendelssohn from Marek Janowski and the New York Phil

Susan Stempleski, 21st May

Principal Trumpet Christopher Martin plays Haydn before the esteemed German maestro conducts a vibrant Scottish Symphony.

****1

Barbara Hannigan makes a powerful connection in La Voix humaine

Thomas May, 23rd April

The Canadian soprano and conductor fuses live performance and video in a taut, volatile account of Poulenc’s punch-packing monodrama with the New York Philharmonic, sharing the bill with Strauss’ valedictory Metamorphosen.

****1

A vocally perplexing economics assignment from David Lang

No’a L. bat Miri, 19th March

The New York Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel deliver the world premiere of Lang's The wealth of nations, inspired by Adam Smith's famous treatise.

***11

Weinberg rarity overshadows John Williams at the New York Philharmonic

Cameron Kelsall, 1st March

John Williams put butts in seats with the New York debut of his Piano Concerto, but the NY Phil's first performances of Mieczysław Weinberg’s Symphony no. 5 stole the show.

****1

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Susan Stempleski

Based in New York City, Susan is a retired specialist in second and foreign language teaching and the author/editor of several professional books for language teachers and many widely used textbooks for English language learners around the world. An avid concertgoer, she spends her time attending operas and other classical music events in New York and Paris. Since 2002, she has regularly published reviews on Classical Source. A keen Francophile, she has a particularly strong interest in French music, literature and film.

A big night for Polish music with David Robertson and the New York Philharmonic