Album DescriptionIn 2006, Deutsche Grammophon and Decca jointly presented a visionary initiative for recording and releasing orchestral concert performances: DG Concerts. This series combines digital downloads with traditional CD releases to create a new model for symphonic recordings. Through partnerships with orchestras from music capitals around the world, the two labels will release an average of four live concert recordings per orchestra each year for digital downloading only. In addition, one concert per year--the highlight of that season--will be released on CD. DG Concerts: Strauss is the first CD release from this innovative new series and the first recording from the New York Philharmonic on a major label in many years. The Philharmonic boasts an enormous tradition, having been led by legendary music directors including Bernstein, Boulez, Mehta, and Masur. Composers such as Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Mahler, Strauss, Stravinsky, Copland and Walter have all also presided over the NYP. Lorin Maazel, the current conductor, who has led more than 150 orchestras in more than 5,000 opera and concert performances, became Music Director of the New York Philharmonic in September 2002. He has also led the Orchestra on tours to Asia, three southern U.S. states, the American Midwest, and in residencies in Cagliari, Sardinia, and the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival in Colorado.