New York Philharmonic: The Modern Beethoven

By going back to Beethoven’s original scores and unshackling the symphonies from centuries of romanticized performance practices, conductor David Zinman sands down these iconic works to reveal their inherent modernity and intense visceral impact. During this three-week festival, Zinman will conduct the Philharmonic in six of Beethoven’s symphonies. Be prepared for swift tempos, minimal vibrato and plenty of sturm und drang. For the most part, this festival avoids the warhorses in the repertoire (the Fifth, the Ninth and Sixth); but Zinman makes an exception this week by pairing the Eroica (Symphony No. 3) with No. 1, which really sparkles under the conductor's aesthetic. Violinist Gil Shaham offers a dark counterpoint with 20th-century German composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann's despairing Concerto funèbre. Visit nyphil.org for a complete schedule of concerts and events.