NYPhil Open Rehearsal -Pianist Emanuel Ax Performing Gruber's Piano Concerto (2016)

Hooray!  The 1st open rehearsal of the NYPhilharmonic started the year of on a spectacular high note. Maestro Alan Gilbert (who will be leaving this year) conducted a program of Schubert's Symph #2, Weill's "Threepenny Music" & the piece de resistance, HK Gruber's Piano Concerto performed by the astounding virtuoso, Emanuel Ax.   Gruber's (b Austria 1943) Piano Concerto had its world premier in 2016 with the NYPhilharmonic.  The contemporary work was co-commissioned with the Royal Stockhold Philh Orch, Berlin Philh Orch & Tonhalle Orch Zurich.  This collaborative composition channeled Gershwin's jazzy syncopation with a flourishing classical orchestration.  The piece was performed by the incomparable Emanuel Ax "Manny" to the rehearsal director.  He is a beloved artist whose early career was as an accompaniast to acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo-Ma.  Mr Ax's inimitable gifts at the piano were noted at an early age.  He won the 1st Arthur Rubinstein Int'l Piano Competition ('74) and in ('75) received the Michael Award of Young Concert Artists.  In 1979, Ax was honored with the highly esteemed Avery Fisher Prize. Ax was an artist in residence with the NYPhil (2012/13.)  Today's concert hall was packed, attributed to Ax being on the program.  Ax's highly distinguished career has mainly focused on classical & chamber music.  More recently he has shown a proclivity for more contemporary compositions.  This was the 1st time I heard Gruber's Piano Concerto.  Having it played by Ax with the NYPhil under conductor Gilbert was a celebratory way to start 2017.  Gruber is regarded as one of Austria's most distinguished contemporary composers.  In 2002 he was honored with his nation's State Prize for Culture.  The Concerto was enthralling; sounding both timeless & lively as a Gershwin work.  The jaunty composition had a modern aesthetic which conjured careening ocean waves.  Mr Ax's playing was underscored by the orchestration.  Ax's playing elicits a vast tonal range and exuberance.  His playing contained crisp crystal sounds, the timpani of a vibraphone and the lush resonance of a Beethoven Concerto.  The instrumentation for the piece included 2 oboes & 2 clarinets (heard at the onset) 3 bassoons, a tuba a motely mix of wood instruments and a harp along with a full string section.  Overall the piece carried a vibrant NYC energy; moving with a fast pace & determination which ushered in a building orchestral crescendo. The piano was at the heart of Gruber's concerto.  Ax, Gilbert & the NYPhil performed with rich gusto and luminescence.  I was elated with the performance.  Alas, if only the concert hall still bore the name Avery Fisher v. David Geffen.