German soprano Dorothea Röschmann and American mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung joined the New York Choral Artists for the performance of Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony – an appropriate choice for the concert as it explores ‘every aspect of life, from it agonies to its joys to its profound sense of hope’ said conductor Alan Gilbert.

The free concert was performed at Avery Fisher Hall and broadcast live to thousands of New Yorkers, who gathered outside the Lincoln Centre to watch on big screens. ‘I have based my life on the hope that art can speak to people in times like this. I believe that art can speak to people in a unique way – words often are not sufficient to plumb the depths of what people are feeling or trying to express,’ said Gilbert in an interview. The New York Times described the evening as an ‘intensely moving programme… an ideal choice to help New Yorkers reflect, heal and persevere … All the performers were palpably swept up in the music: the excellent chorus; Ms DeYoung; Ms Röschmann, who sang with deep expressivity; and the orchestra’.

The new release not only captures the extraordinary performance of “A Concert for New York” but also the atmosphere of the evening, reflecting the emotions of the audience as they remembered this tragic moment in American history. The program features bonus material including interviews with Alan Gilbert, and with Zarin Mehta, the Orchestra’s President and Executive Director.

Watch the trailer here:

The DVD and Blu-ray will be available through major music retailers and on nyphil.org in the U.S. on November 8, 2011 and worldwide from the end of November 2011.