For me, this was the final concert of the New York Philharmonic until the new seasons starts in September. Conducted by Bramwell Tovey, the orchestra presented an interesting array of lesser-known and well-known music with a “space” theme.

• John Adams – Short Ride in a Fast Machine
• Offenbach – Ballet of the Snowflakes from The Trip to the Moon
• Jos. Strauss – Music of the Spheres
• Holst – The Planets (backed by the film, The Planets – An HD Odyssey)

I enjoyed Tovey’s usual commentary before each selection. He’s humorous and sets a relaxed tone to what could be a little stuffy (going to the symphony). While the playing wasn’t the best I’ve heard from the Philharmonic (it sounded under-rehearsed), I enjoyed a program of music I largely hadn’t heard previously. While I am familiar with Holst’s The Planets, I didn’t know the story behind it. I didn’t think the film added much, though – just a bunch of NASA images. After Mars and Venus, it got a little old.