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Welcome to “Composers Corner,” Subito’s series of composer talks…a way to better get to know our composers. During this unsettling COVID-19 pandemic, they’ll share how — as creators — they’ve been affected by it, what projects they’ve been working on, along with some of their personal interests. They’ll offer a glimpse and some insight into […]
February 5 brings the world premiere of Michael Abels’ first ballet Falling Sky, which features choreography by international dancer and choreographer Patrick de Bana. Commissioned by Butler University (Indianapolis, Indiana), the four-movement, 20-minute work is scored for concert band and will be performed by the Butler Ballet. Col. Michael Colburn conducts six spotlighted performances as […]
“I am an advocate of Michael Abels’ music; and, I try to program and perform it whenever and wherever I can.” As the Richmond Symphony’s July 30 performance of Abels’ Liquify approaches, guest conductor Mark Russell Smith talks about Liquify and his long-standing relationship with the composer’s music. Smith — music director of the Quad […]
“It’s an intimidating assignment to write a piece on the legacy of Dr. King.” Michael Abels offers some insight into his popular work Dance for Martin’s Dream, which is featured on the Minnesota Orchestra’s July 13 Sommerfest concert, led by music director Osmo Vänskä. Co-commissioned by the Houston and Nashville Symphonies, Dance for Martin’s Dream is […]
“Global Warming does a great job of musically addressing the issues embedded within the title.” And so, conductor Tobin Stewart highlights the core of Michael Abels 8-minute orchestral work as Stewart joins the Montana State University Symphony for the orchestra’s May 2019 South American tour to Chile. Stewart will conduct concerts in Ovalle, Santiago, and […]
It’s April 2019, and award-wining composer Michael Abels has done it again – created an eerie, empathetic, and compelling film score for Oscar winning-director Jordan Peele’s second record-breaking film “Us.” Released back in March, “Us” premiered at SXSW to strong critical reviews. In its national release, it shattered box-office records raking in over $70 million […]
“[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. […]
“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 […]
“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 […]
“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’ […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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’ […]
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 […]
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 […]
They’re at it again! The Altius Quartet likes Michael Abels’ Delights and Dances so much that, last summer, they performed it at the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, CO. This season, they’re performing it again on March 12, as part of their Graduate String Quartet Residency at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Music […]
If you’re in Mobile, AL on November 15 and 16, head on over to Saenger Theatre for the Mobile Symphony’s performances of Michael Abels’ Delights and Dances, featuring the Harlem String Quartet. Scott Speck conducts these performances as part of the orchestra’s “Beethoven and Blue Jeans” series. Harlem String Quartet violinist Melissa White comments, “Delights […]
Called “an energetic arrangement [incorporating] jazz, blues, bluegrass and Latin dance elements” (New York Times), Michael Abels’ Delights and Dances is his ever-popular work for string quartet and string orchestra. This summer, audiences in Durango, CO will hear it on July 25 as part of the Music in the Mountains Festival. Christopher James Lees […]
Michael Abels begins 2014 with three (!) performances of his acclaimed orchestral tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — Dance for Martin’s Dream. Co-commissioned by the Houston and Nashville Symphonies, Dance for Martin’s Dream received a partial premiere in Houston in June 1997 (conducted by Stephen Stein), followed by Nashville’s premiere of the complete […]
“I’m excited about Michael Abels’ music!” So notes conductor Kevin McBeth, when on February 22, he leads the Saint Louis Symphony in a performance of Abels’ works Dance for Martin’s Dream and Outburst. The concert is part of the orchestra’s 2013 Black History Month Celebration. McBeth continues, “I really enjoy Michael’s music. While the Saint […]
Concert: Abels: DANCE FOR MARTIN’S DREAM, OUTBURSTDate: 2013-02-22Location: St. Louis SymphonyLink: http://www.stlsymphony.org/calendar/view.aspx?id=3577Concert Information: Kevin McBeth, conductor No related posts.
Concert: Abels (arr): MARY HAD A BABYDate: 2012-12-08Location: Sheboygan SymphonyLink: http://sheboygansymphony.org/concerts-events/list-of-concerts/christmas-treasures/view/2012-12-08Concert Information: “Christmas Treasures” Concert Kevin McMahon, conductor Sheboygan,WI No related posts.
Did you know that Chicago is the place to be on June 16th? If not, and you’re in town then, you’re in luck—the Chicago Sinfonietta will perform Michael Abels’ Delights and Dances, joined by the acclaimed Harlem Quartet. Abels will be in residence as music director Mei-Ann Chen leads the performance at the Wentz Concert […]