The New York Philharmonic Orchestra and its fans had many reasons to celebrate this week, with the premier of the new music director and the announcement of a $10 million grant from Henry Kravis.
Henry Kravis, co-founder of the private equity company KKR, donated the $10 million grant in honor of his wife, Marie Josee Kravis, to endow a new composer-in-residence position and a prize for new music.
"It gives me great pleasure to honor my wife, Marie-Josee, with a gift of music," said Henry Kravis. "It is my hope that the New York Philharmonic will enrich its repertoire through the new works composed by the composer-in-residence and by the prize for new music, with such works lasting for many years."
The first Marie-Josee Kravis composer-in-residence, which is a two-year post, is the Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg. He premiered his opening work, titled EXPO, at the New York Philharmonic Opening Night Concert on September 16; the concert was also a premier for Alan Gilbert, the Philharmonic’s newest music director.
Lindberg and other composers-in-residence – of which there have already been six in the New York Philharmonic history – will be required to regularly write music for the Philharmonic and serve in a curatorial role for the institution.
In addition to the composer-in-residence position, the $10 million grant will fund The Marie Josee Kravis Prize for New Music, which will be awarded every two years to a working composer for an "extraordinary artistic endeavor." The composer will receive $250,000 and a commission from the New York Philharmonic.
The Philharmonic’s newest season opened on Wednesday at the Lincoln Center, featuring Magnus Lincoln’s opening work, as well as Messiaen’s Poemes Pour Mi and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. 