A Celebratory Season Finale for New Phil

The New Philharmonia Orchestra and Ronald Knudsen, Music Director will end its 18th season, Symphonic Journeys, with two performances of Now and Then featuring works by Gustav Mahler and Erika Foin. Now and Then is Saturday, May 18 at 8pm and Sunday, May 19 at 3pm at the historic First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon St in Newton Centre.

The New Phil will perform the world premiere of Erika Foin’s Quintessence for woodwind quintet and string orchestra. This performance is an especially poignant one for the group because the composer is a former member of the New Phil and composed the commissioned work with her musician friends in mind. New Phil has performed works by Foin before, most recently premiering Everything Changes in 2006. This is also the second time that Foin’s work will be performed alongside a Mahler symphony! 

Mahler’s grand Symphony No. 5 is a triumphant presence on the New Phil stage. The fifth symphony is a resounding work that pushes and pulls your senses, bringing you towards a fantastic finale that only finally lets you breathe freely at the end release.

New Phil’s performances this weekend are also a salute to the wonderful community music making that has been delivered by orchestras in Newton for fifty years. During those decades the founders and musicians of the Newton Civic Orchestra, Newton Symphony Orchestra, and New Philharmonia Orchestra have dedicated their skills to bringing high-quality performances and community engagement opportunities to our friends and family in Newton. These music makers are an important part of Newton’s landscape and quality of life. There will be a special dedication and celebration of these community players during the concert weekend.

In addition New Phil invites the audience to make the concert a complete experience. Before the performance, audience members can dine at a participating Culture ‘n Cuisine restaurant and receive a 10% discount on their food purchase. Following the performance, the audience is invited to mingle with the New Phil musicians, Maestro Knudsen, special guests, and other music lovers. Make an entire day of musical memories! Visit www.newphil.org for more information on the Culture ‘n Cuisine program.

Don’t miss New Phil’s season finale performances in the breathtaking First Baptist Church. For more information or ticket orders, call the New Phil box office, at 617-527-9717. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.newphil.org.

About New Philharmonia Orchestra

The New Philharmonia Orchestra (New Phil), founded in 1995 and under the direction of Ronald Knudsen, is a 60 member non-professional regional orchestra based in Newton, MA. “Music of, by and for the people” [The Boston Globe] encapsulates the spirit of the organization. The majority of musicians you see on stage today have performed together for more than 20 years.

From the outset New Phil’s motto, MUSIC FOR ALL, has been our mission. The orchestra advances its mission by presenting programs of diverse repertoire of classical and light classical music for the enjoyment of audiences of all ages and experiences from a variety of urban and suburban communities. At the same time the orchestra strives to provide its non-professional players the opportunity to achieve a high level of ensemble performance not otherwise available. New Phil’s season includes an annual Classics Series, Family Discovery Series, special events, and community outreach programs.

In addition to our home venue at the stunning First Baptist Church in Newton Centre, New Phil has also performed in Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall and in a variety of historically significant churches in the Boston area, including Mission Church in Mission Hill.

The New Philharmonia Orchestra is a member of the League of American Orchestras and the Newton Cultural Alliance.

New Philharmonia Orchestra is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Newton Cultural Council, The Village Bank, Bournewood Hospital, Grossman Marketing Group and John Hancock Financial Services.