The Bronx will once again take center stage in New York City’s beloved summer tradition as the New York Philharmonic brings its Concerts in the Parks series to Van Cortlandt Park on Thursday, June 5, with a performance led by internationally acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
The outdoor event—presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer—is part of a weeklong citywide celebration and marks one of Dudamel’s first major appearances as the Philharmonic’s incoming Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music and Artistic Director.
The free concert begins at 8 p.m. and will be followed by a fireworks display, a tradition that has long made the Concerts in the Parks series a favorite for families and classical music lovers alike.
This year’s program includes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, a selection of movements from Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919 version), and two solo works featuring world-renowned guest artists making their New York Philharmonic debuts: Arturo Sandoval, performing a movement from his Trumpet Concerto No. 2, and Jorge Glem, performing Gonzalo Grau’s Odisea: Concerto for Venezuelan Cuatro and Orchestra.
In a special crossover appearance, former New York Yankee and jazz guitarist Bernie Williams will also take the stage as a guest artist, offering a musical homecoming in the Bronx.
The Concerts in the Parks series will open in Central Park on June 4, followed by the Bronx on June 5, Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on June 6, and Queens’ Cunningham Park on June 7—all performances beginning at 8 p.m. and capped with fireworks.
For those unable to attend the outdoor events, the Philharmonic will host a Free Indoor Concert in Staten Island on June 8 at 2 p.m. at the St. George Theatre. That performance, featuring musicians from the Philharmonic, includes Mozart’s Flute Quartet No. 4, Barber’s Summer Music, and Britten’s String Quartet No. 1.
The Concerts in the Parks series has brought classical music to more than 15 million New Yorkers since its inception in 1965, providing an opportunity for audiences of all backgrounds to experience the NY Phil in a relaxed, open-air setting.
Admission is free, and no tickets are required. For more details and weather updates, visit nyphil.org/parks.
