James Lee III: “Sukkot” goes to Pittsburgh

On March 22, 2024, the Pittsburgh Symphony presents the regional premiere of James Lee III’s Sukkot Through Orion’s Nebula, conducted by Juanjo Mena (pictured below). The ten-minute orchestral work was commissioned by the Sphinx Organization and premiered in October 2011 at the New World Symphony, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. Lee describes the piece as […]

Dan Locklair: Remarkably Prolific

“Dan Locklair is a remarkably prolific composer.” And so, as the Central City Chorus prepares for its March 16 New York premiere of the composer’s Requiem, music director Bryan Zaros shares some insight into the ensemble’s choral composer portrait concert, at St. Malachy’s Church. Locklair’s nine-movement, 45-minute Requiem is set in English and uses elements […]

James Lee III: Truly Unique and Remarkable

“James Lee III’s voice is truly unique and unmistakably his.” And so, Eric Jacobsen – the Orlando Philharmonic’s Music Director – offers some insight into the ensemble’s upcoming February 24, 2024 Florida premiere of Lee’s piano concerto Shades of Unbroken Dreams. The performance showcases soloist Alexandra Dariescu, and Mei-Ann Chen guest-conducts. Shades of Unbroken Dreams […]

Susan Kander

Susan Kander: DBW in Fort Worth

On February 16, 2024, the Fort Worth Opera presents composer Susan Kander and librettist’s Roberta Gumbel’s chamber opera dwb (*driving while black*), directed by Ayvaunn Penn. The production features soprano Marsha Thompson in the role of The Mother, joined by cellist Cremaine Booker and percussionist David Verin. Dwb is a 45-minute, one-woman monodrama that originally […]

Paul Moravec: Sanctuary Road – Shout from Every Rooftop

“Shout from every rooftop. Loud as can be: free.’” – Mark Campbell, librettist, Sanctuary Road On January 26 and 28, 2024, the Virginia Opera presents a staged version of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec and fellow Pulitzer-winner librettist Mark Campell’s acclaimed oratorio Sanctuary Road. Kimille Howard directs, and Everett McCorvey conducts both performances at the […]

James Lee III: Three Outstanding Women

“This is a concerto based on three outstanding women activists.” – James Lee III On January 6, 2024, English horn soloist Darci Gamerl begins her concert programming for the New Year when she joins the Augusta Symphony Orchestra in the premiere of James Lee III’s new concerto Courageous Lights. Dirk Meyer conducts the premiere at […]

James Lee III: Important and Outstanding

“I am so grateful to James Lee III for entrusting me with such an important and outstanding piece of music.” – Alexandra Dariescu On November 9, 2023, pianist Alexandra Dariescu premieres the composer’s new piano concerto Shades of Unbroken Dreams with the Detroit Symphony, led by Fabien Gabel. The three-movement, 34-minute work was commissioned by […]

Michael Abels: A Great Privilege

“It’s a great privilege to bring Omar to San Francisco.” And so notes Matthew Shilvock, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, on the eve of the opera company’s November 5, 2023 performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Abels – and fellow Pulitzer Prize-winning co-composer/librettist Rhiannon Giddens’ – opera, Omar. The work was commissioned by […]

Composer Dan Locklair

Dan Locklair: A Magical, Musical Partnership

On November 5, 2023, composer Dan Locklair conducts his Requiem in Lynchburg, VA. The concert is an All Saints’ Day Concert with the St. John’s Choir, the Cantate Youth and Children’s Choir, soloists, string orchestra and organ, played by Peggy Haas Howell. The nine-movement, 45-minute work is set in English and uses elements of the […]

Composer, Faye-Ellen Silverman

Faye-Ellen Silverman: October’s 3 for 3

Composer Faye-Ellen Silverman’s October 2023 schedule is full with three world premieres in New York City—one of which features the composer performing her own music! On October 14, Silverman premieres her new solo piano work Embracing the Woman in Red as part of Composers Concordance 40th anniversary season. As a composer/performer, Silverman notes, “Since I […]