Central Park has hosted outdoor concerts on the Concert Ground since the park opened in the mid-nineteenth century. The site’s design offers great natural beauty and tranquility for those who attend its live musical performances.
This free musical series was established by Elkan Naumburg, a philanthropist and ardent supporter of music, for the purpose of encouraging and stimulating the public’s interest in symphonic and classical music. Our outdoor summer performances, begun in 1905, are the oldest classical music series of its type in the world. The events now feature promising new music talent, with many performers being young and often New York based. The concerts also promote the professional development of young composers and conductors, featuring newly commissioned music, and new arrangements. In combination, these efforts bring new and established audiences to new and known music in the refreshing, pleasurable outdoor summer evening setting of Central Park.