October 13, 2021 by A.Z. Madonna, Globe Staff

In a city flush with amateur orchestras, the New England Philharmonic has spent much of the past 44 years distinguishing itself from the crowd. The groundwork was laid in the ensemble’s first decades. Then, its exemplary reputation solidified during the 23-year tenure of Richard Pittman, who became music director in 1997 and steered the orchestra headlong into challenging contemporary music — territory that would be unthinkable for the average volunteer ensemble that rehearses once a week.

September 29, 2021 by Lloyd Schwartz

The New England Philharmonic has found a more elegant way of dealing with a transition. Eric Nathan, their distinguished composer-in-residence, has worked collaboratively with the orchestra to plan the whole season. All but one program will have a different conductor finalist and each of them will begin with a new musical tribute to Richard Pittman, the beloved longstanding music director, now recently retired. The first program will be directed by Nathan himself with works of his own, Bernard Hoffer (the tribute to Pittman), Hannah Kendall, and Stravinsky’s “Firebird” (Oct. 16).

NEW ENGLAND PHILHARMONIC Looking at this orchestra’s adventurous repertoire and keen musicality, you’d never know its musician ranks were made up of amateur volunteers. After the season’s inaugural concert, which will be conducted by composer-in-residence Eric Nathan (Oct. 16), the ensemble will begin auditioning new music directors, starting with Massachusetts Institute of Technology director of orchestras Adam Kerry Boyles leading music by Amy Beach, Michael Gandolfi, Ravel, and more (Dec. 5). 855-463-7445, www.nephilharmonic.org