Abels: Exciting Winged Creatures

“[I was] reminded of the flight of a butterfly — exciting, graceful, but also uneven and frenetic.”  — Michael Abels On the eve of its June 14 premiere, Michael Abels shares the inspiration behind his newest work Winged Creatures. Written for soloists Anthony and Demarre McGill, the 13-minute double concerto was commissioned by Cedille Records. […]

Abels: Audiences Truly Enjoy It

“Audiences truly enjoy it!” Conductor Guy Victor Bordo shares his enthusiasm for Michael Abels’ Global Warming as he prepares for The University of Akron Symphony Orchestra’s performance on December 7. Commissioned and premiered by the Phoenix Youth Symphony in 1991, Abels’ ever-popular 8-minute work was inspired by the historic events of the end of the Cold […]

Abels: A Compelling Kaleidoscope

“Delights and Dances is a compelling kaleidoscope.” As the Sphinx Virtuosi return to Carnegie Hall on October 13, Afa S. Dworkin, President and Artistic Director of the Sphinx Organization, celebrates its own commissioned-work written by Michael Abels. The New York performance is just one concert among many of the ensemble’s 2017 fall tour which began last month […]

Abels: A Message of Hope & Optimism

“When I first heard Michael Abels’ Dance for Martin’s Dream shortly after its premiere, I was immediately struck by Michael’s choice to make it a celebratory work (as opposed to most tributes, which are elegiac). While it is often performed around MLK Day or Black History Month, I think it has a more universal ‘message’ […]

Abels: “Get Out” & See It!

It’s March 2017, and by now, you’ve all heard about this season’s critically acclaimed, groundbreaking comedic, suspense-thriller “Get Out,” directed by Emmy-winning actor and comedian Jordan Peele. However…did you know that Subito’s own Michael Abels wrote the score for this hit film? “Get Out” is Abels’ first feature film and what a way to say hello […]

Abels: Always A Joy

  “It is always a joy for me — and I use that word very deliberately — to collaborate with Michael Abels.” Mark Russell Smith, music director of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, shares his enthusiasm about working with Abels again for the orchestra’s February 4 & 5 world premiere of Liquify. The 9-minute work was […]

composer, Michael Abels

Abels: Well-Crafted, Graceful & Virtuosic

On July 28, the Del Sol Quartet performs Michael Abels’ Delights and Dances with the Bear Valley Music Festival Orchestra, led by music director Michael Morgan. Commissioned by the Sphinx Organization for the 10th anniversary of its Sphinx Competition, Delights and Dances is a 13-minute work that was originally scored for full orchestra with a […]

Abels & Sierra: Cosmic Convergence

The Chicago Sinfonietta rounds out its season on May 21 and 23 with its “Cosmic Convergence” program, which features the music of two Subito composers: Michael Abels’ Global Warming and Roberto Sierra’s Jubilo. Music director Mei-Ann Chen offers some insight into the ensemble’s season finale. “[This last performance] of our season is entitled ‘Cosmic Convergence’ […]

composer, Michael Abels

Abels: Inventiveness and Drive

On March 19 and 20, the Spokane Symphony performs Michael Abels’ classic work Global Warming, as music director Eckart Preu leads the orchestra in its “Symphonic Dances” program. Inspired by the historic events of the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War era, Global Warming was commissioned and premiered by […]

Abels: One of the Finest

On February 9, the Indianapolis Symphony performs Michael Abels’ orchestral work Global Warming. Chelsea Tipton II conducts the ensemble as part of the symphony’s Black History Month celebration. Written around the time of the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War era, Global Warming was commissioned and premiered by the […]