In celebration of the Centennial of the 19th Amendment, The New York Philharmonic has launched Project 19 ~ born of the conviction that an orchestra can participate in conversations about social imperatives and even change the status quo. Through Project 19, the Philharmonic can mark a “tectonic shift in American culture,” says President and CEO Deborah Borda, by giving women composers a platform and catalyzing representation in classical music and beyond. Project 19 launches in February 2020 with the first six World Premieres. The Orchestra will premiere the next two commissions in May–June 2020. 11 more premieres will follow in future seasons.
Project 19 is the single largest women-only commissioning initiative in history commissioning and premiering 19 new works by 19 women composers. “As one of the leading orchestras in America, it is the New York Philharmonic’s responsibility, and our joy, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American women’s right to vote with this vast commissioning project,” said Music Director Jaap van Zweden. This is ‘Jaap’s’ second season as Music Director with the Philharmonic. This season, he will lead off with Project 19, followed by hotspots festival, spotlighting three global hotbeds of classical music innovations, Berlin, Reykjavík, and New York, followed by Mahler’s New York, examining Mahler’s time in New York as composer and as the Philharmonic’s tenth Music Director.
Several related programs are anticipated, and will include ‘The Mother of Us All’ to be held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Susan B. Anthony takes center stage, and Project 19: The Poetry.
New York Philharmonic Archives will present The Special Case of Steffy Goldner, (above) a multimedia installation by artist Nives Widauer celebrating harpist Stephanie “Steffy” Goldner, the Philharmonic’s first woman member on view from February 5-22.
Members of the League of Women Voters of the City of New York will be on hand to provide voter registration services and discuss civic issues.
Hop on to Spotify to listen to the music from Project 19 by New York Philharmonic, and hear from the composers in their own voices.
Read more on Project 19 in Playbill.