Symphonic Masterworks - The New York Philharmonic (C1)

The renowned New York Philharmonic, America’s oldest symphony orchestra, with a tradition second to none (its legendary conductors have included Mahler, Toscanini and Leonard Bernstein) makes its Abu Dhabi Classics debut in this season’s opening gala concert. In the first half, one of the world’s best-loved keyboard artists, Emanuel Ax, will be featured in Beethoven’s sublime Fourth Piano Concerto. The orchestra’s new music director, brilliant young American maestro Alan Gilbert concludes the programme with the exuberant and richly melodious First Symphony by Gustav Mahler, performed this evening by the very orchestra Mahler himself conducted a century ago.