Tuesday: Simone Dinnerstein and Barokyn at Naumburg Bandshell

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The Naumburg Orchestral Concerts begins season on Tuesday, 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 continues on June 23 with The Knights performing a program to celebrate America 250

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.”

For the concert, Dinnerstein leads the artists from the piano for performances of Glass's "The Hours" and a recomposition by Philip Lasser of Bach’s Air on the G String, and conducts Bach's Cantata No. 9 "Es ist das Heil uns Kommen her" alongside selections from three other cantatas by Bach with Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA).

The season continues on June 23 with The Knights chamber orchestra performing a program in honor of America's 250th anniversary that features the NY premiere of Lisa Bielawa's Violin Concerto PULSE with Tessa Lark.

Concerts at the bandshell continue throughout the summer, every other Tuesday, through August 4. Performers include Delirium Musicum, Orchestra of St. Luke's with mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner, and Nosky's Baroque Band with trumpet soloist Steve Marquardt. Full program details are below. Digital press kit available here.

June 9: Simone Dinnerstein and Baroklyn at Naumburg

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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.”

For the concert, Dinnerstein leads the artists from the piano for performances of Glass's "The Hours" and a recomposition by Philip Lasser of Bach’s Air on the G String, and conducts Bach's Cantata No. 9 "Es ist das Heil uns Kommen her" alongside selections from three other cantatas by Bach with Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA).

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.

Naumburg Orchestral Concerts announces 2026 season

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The Naumburg Orchestral Concerts Announces 121st Season at The Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park 

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

Simone Dinnerstein, Baroklyn, & CONCORA – June 9

The Knights – June 23

Delirium Musicum - July 7

Orchestra of St. Luke's - July 21

Nosky’s Baroque Band – August 4

2026 season also marks 100th anniversary of Walter W. Naumburg International Competition and features two former winners as featured soloists

Launched in 1905, the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts is the world's oldest continuous free outdoor classical concert series.

This year's edition, the 121st season, runs June 9 through August 4, 2026 with five spectacular programs featuring world-class ensembles and soloists at the historic Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (mid-park at 72nd St.). Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., no reservations are needed. All will be broadcast live and streamed on WQXR for those unable to attend in person. Visit naumburgconcerts.org for more information and programs.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Walter W. Naumburg International Competition, which has launched countless extraordinary young artists onto the global stage since 1926. To celebrate the occasion, the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts' season features two past winners of the competition as guest soloists.

The season kicks off on June 9 with pianist Simone Dinnerstein and her string ensemble Baroklyn with CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) in a program of music by J.S. Bach and Philip Glass. On June 23, The Knights perform with Naumburg International Violin Competition winner Tessa Lark in a program of 21st century works by Caroline Shaw, Lisa Bielawa, and Christina Courtin alongside Samuel Barber's iconic Adagio for Strings. Delirium Musicum, a chamber orchestra from Los Angeles representing the next wave of classical musicians, makes its Naumburg Orchestral Concert debut on July 7 in a program of music by Schubert, Saint-Saëns, and Satie alongside Max Richter, Philip Glass, and others.

On July 21, the Orchestra of St. Luke's performs an all-Mozart program with mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner (a 2021 Naumburg Vocal Award Winner) led by Brad Lubman. To complete the season, Nosky's Baroque Band, led by violinist Aisslinn Nosky (concertmaster for Handel and Haydn Society), returns to the Bandshell on August 4 for a program of works by Bach, Telemann, and more with baroque trumpet soloist Steve Marquardt.

"When my great-grandfather Elkan Naumburg founded the series over 120 years ago, he wanted to encourage and stimulate the public's interest in symphonic and classical music," says NOC's president Christopher W. London. "It's with great pride that we manage to continue in his tradition, featuring promising new music talent, while also promoting the professional development of young composers and conductors, while also often featuring newly commissioned music."