Itzhak Perlman makes special guest appearance with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra
Photo Credit: Chris Lee
(September 2023) — On November 28, the Viñoly Foundation presents “A Musical Celebration of the Life of Rafael Viñoly,” a special memorial concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Featuring The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music & Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, with appearances by Jonathan Biss, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Isaiah J. Thompson Trio, and special guest Itzhak Perlman, the concert honors Viñoly, the distinguished Uruguayan architect who died this past March. A portion of the proceeds from the performance will benefit the Viñoly Foundation, the nonprofit formerly known as the Rafael and Diana Viñoly Foundation. The rededicated organization aims to carry forward Rafael’s legacy by doing good in the areas of architecture, urban planning, music, the arts and science, as well as heritage projects aimed at highlighting the impact of his work.
The late Rafael Viñoly (1944–2023) has been hailed as “the extraordinary Uruguay-born architect whose function-driven, context-inspired buildings made their marks on six continents” (Architectural Digest). He is remembered for such iconic buildings as the Tokyo International Forum and the Cleveland Museum of Art as well as New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, where The Philadelphia Orchestra makes its home.
The architect’s son, Román Viñoly, is the director of the Viñoly Foundation. He says:
"Music was my father’s purest passion, which he nurtured daily through his avid piano study and near-constant listening. As a devoted patron of Carnegie Hall for many decades, Rafael Viñoly was a fixture at its concerts. His deep love of music filled him with immense pride at having designed the halls for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Jazz at Lincoln Center, both of which are performing at this special concert in his honor. He would have been humbled by their participation, celebrating his life in what was practically his second home. On behalf of my mother, Diana Viñoly, and our family, we look forward to sharing this special evening of appreciation with Yannick, Itzhak, Jonathan and our friends at The Philadelphia Orchestra and Jazz at Lincoln Center.”
Matías Tarnopolsky, president & CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc., comments:
“Rafael Viñoly’s unexpected death earlier this year leaves a massive hole in the architectural, musical and civic communities. Rafael dedicated his life to architecture and music. The Philadelphia Orchestra is fortunate to call the Kimmel Center, one of his most iconic creations, home. Rafael put his heart and soul into designing it, and it stands as an embodiment of his great love for the arts and his commitment to human-centered, inclusive spaces. It is our profound honor to be able to celebrate his life through music at Carnegie Hall this fall.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra will anchor the upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall. In a special guest appearance, preeminent violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman will join Nézet-Séguin and the orchestra for both Kreisler’s “Liebesfreud” and Beethoven’s Second Romance. The Isaiah J. Thompson Trio will perform select jazz numbers, and pianist Jonathan Biss, widely recognized as “one of today’s foremost Beethoven exponents” (Chicago Tribune), will be the soloist in the composer’s beloved “Emperor” Concerto. Biss will perform Beethoven’s masterpiece on the Maene-Viñoly Concert Grand Piano, an innovative instrument that was created by Rafael Viñoly in partnership with the respected piano builder Chris Maene. On display at the Kimmel Center since June, the piano is distinguished by its curved ergonomic keyboard, radial stringing, and a significantly larger soundboard that endows it with more power and capacity for nuance. The coming concert marks the instrument’s U.S. concert debut.
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