Press Release

May 12, 2026

For Immediate Release

The Naumburg Orchestral Concerts begins season on June 9

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein, her string ensemble Baroklyn, and CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) perform music by J.S Bach and Philip Glass

The world's oldest continuous free outdoor classical concert series features five concerts June 9 – August 4, 2026

On Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 pm, Naumburg Orchestral Concerts kicks off its 2026 season with the GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Simone Dinnerstein, Baroklyn (the string ensemble she founded and directs) and CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) at Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (mid-park at 72nd St.). The concert is free and will be broadcast live and streamed on WQXR.

The program features music by Philip Glass and J.S. Bach - two composers whose music Dinnerstein sees a natural affinity between. The pianist says, “Glass’s music is multi-linear in a way that evokes the music of Bach. It is music on the horizontal, as opposed to the vertical. If anything, it is circular music.”

Watch Simone Dinnerstein and Baroklyn perform The Hours

Launched in 1905, the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts is the world's oldest continuous free outdoor classical concert series. The season continues with The Knights on June 23, Delirium Musicum (making their NYC debut!) on July 7, followed by Orchestra of St. Luke's on July 21, and concludes on August 4 with Nosky's Baroque Band. Full program details are below. Digital press kit available here.

Tuesday, June 9 at 7:30 pm

Baroklyn

Simone Dinnerstein, director and piano

CONCORA Choir

at the Naumburg Bandshell on the Concert Ground

Central Park (72nd St, mid-park)

PROGRAM

Johann Sebastian Bach: Herr Gott, BWV 617

Philip Glass: The Hours

J.S. Bach (continuo realizations by Philip Lasser): Cantata 9, Es ist das Heil uns Kommen her, BWV 9

J.S. Bach: Three Movements from Cantatas 99, 22, & 182

J.S. Bach/Lasser: In the Air

WQXR Host: Elliott Forrest

Admission is free and reservations are not needed.

Visit naumburgconcerts.org for more information and programs.

Press kit available here.

June 23: The Knights

Colin & Eric Jacobsen, artistic directors

Tessa Lark, Violin (Walter W. Naumburg Int’l Competition Winner 2012) 

Christina Courtin: Rhapsody on being Giant Proof

Lisa Bielawa: Violin Concerto No. 2: Pulse

Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings

Caroline Shaw: The Mountain that Loved a Bird

Paul Simon (arr. Colin Jacobsen): American Tune

July 7: Delirium Musicum (NYC debut)

Etienne Gara, music director & violinist 

Zoltán Kodály: Intermezzo from Háry János Suite*

Camille Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre*

Gabriella Smith: Cactus-Yucca Scrub from Desert Ecology

Erik Satie: Gnossienne N.1*

Max Richter: Summer from The Four Seasons Recomposed

Philip Glass: Echorus

Franz Schubert: Erlkönig*

Jessie Montgomery: Banner for Solo String Quartet & String Orchestra

Antonio Vivaldi: Winter from The Four Seasons, Op 8 No.4, RV 297

*arranged for Delirium Musicum by Gianluca Bersanetti

July 21: Orchestra of St. Luke's

Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Brad Lubman, conductor

Erin Wagner, mezzo-soprano (Walter W. Naumburg Int’l Competition Winner 2021)

All works by W.A. Mozart

Divertimento in D major K. 136

Adagio and Fugue in C minor K. 546 

Alma grande e nobil core, K.578

Vado, me dove?, K. 583

Voi che sapete from Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492

Porgi amor, from Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492

Tutte nel cor vi sento, from Idomeneo, K. 366

Symphony No. 21 in A major K. 134

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K. 525

August 4: Nosky’s Baroque Band

Aisslinn Nosky, director & violin soloist
Steve Marquardt, trumpet soloist

Giuseppe Torelli: Trumpet Concerto in D (Roger 188) 

Arcangelo Corell: Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 10

Giuseppe Torelli: Violin Concerto Op. 8, No. 9 in e minor 

G. P. Telemann: Burlesque de Quixotte Suite TWV 55:G10

J.S. Bach: Violin Concerto BWV 1052r

G. P. Telemann: Concerto TWV 53:D5 for trumpet & strings

Since 1905, the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts has continuously presented free, outdoor classical music concerts to New Yorkers of all walks of life. It is the oldest such concert series in the world. Named after founder and philanthropist Elkan Naumburg, who donated the Naumburg Bandshell to New York City in 1923, and inspired by his own ardent love of music, the series seeks to stimulate and encourage new and expanded audiences for classical music in the informal and beautiful setting of Central Park.