David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York
September 20, 2018

The campaign to promote the New York Philharmonic’s 26th Music Director seemed to start at least a year ago. “New York, Meet Jaap,” the posters broadcast, the craggy Dutchman’s image writ large, the spring evident in his step as he saunters the streets of the Big Apple. And you could be forgiven for glancing down at foot level, for let’s face it, following on from the likes of Boulez, Bernstein, Toscanini and Mengelberg – not forgetting Mahler, for heaven’s sake – Jaap van Zweden has some big shoes to fill. Finally, last night, the wait was over, the home crowd was willing him on – heck, even the Empire State was illuminated in NY Philharmonic red. So how did it go? Answer: pretty darn well.

Jaap van Zweden and the New York Philharmonic. Photo © Chris Lee

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