Tradition and modernity: Bronfman and Zhang shine in New York

Xian Zhang conducts the New York Philharmonic

Yefim Bronfman, Xian Zhang and the New York Philharmonic

By Susan Stempleski, 16 January 2026

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Reviewed at Lincoln Center: Wu Tsai Theater, David Geffen Hall, New York City on 15 January 2026

Chen Yi, Landscape Impression (NY premiere)

Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54

Liszt, Grandes Études de Paganini S 141: no. 2 in E flat major

Tchaikovsky, Symphony no. 2 in C minor "Little Russian", Op.17

Yefim Bronfman, Piano

New York Philharmonic

Xian Zhang, Conductor

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

Contours in motion: Kavakos and Rouvali at the New York Philharmonic

Edward Sava-Segal, 20th February

Bartók and Rachmaninov are shaped through rhythmic precision and structural concentration in the New York Philharmonic's latest subscription concert.

****1

Lyricism and drama from Dueñas, Honeck and the New York Philharmonic

Susan Stempleski, 29th January

The Spanish violinist delivers a radiant rendition of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto after which Honeck interprets his own distillation of music from Strauss’ Elektra.

****1

Thomas Adès and Yuja Wang offer contemporary works at the NY Phil

Sam Jacobson, 23rd January

Yuja Wang returns to the New York Philharmonic with Rautavaara’s dazzling First Piano Concerto in a probing program curated and conducted by Thomas Adès.

****1

Noseda and the NY Philharmonic play exhilarating Shostakovich Four

David Wolfson, 7th January

Gianandrea Noseda conducts the New York Philharmonic in a lovingly crafted, exhilarating rendition of Shostakovich’s gargantuan Fourth Symphony.

****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.

Tradition and modernity: Bronfman and Zhang shine in New York Philharmonic program