The NY Phil Biennial, presented by the New York Philharmonic, is a three-week long festival that brings hundreds of composers and musicians of contemporary and modern classical music to venues across the city. 

This is the second Biennial, and the last under the full command of its creator Alan Gilbert, who's stepping down as music director of the Philharmonic next year.

"It's important for the city's great flagship orchestra to have a commitment to contemporaneity music," said Russell Platt, classical music editor for the "Goings On About Town" section of the New Yorker.

Platt said the Philharmonic owes that commitment to Gilbert.

"[Gilbert's] conducting of contemporary music has been extraordinary for its insight and power and diversity," he said.

[Click on “Listen” for Platt's conversation with WNYC’s Soterios Johnson about the festival and upcoming performances.]