“Just because you write the music doesn’t mean that you know it from a conductor’s perspective.” And so, Dan Locklair offers some insight into conducting his own music as he prepares for a November 2 concert in Roanoke, Va, featuring the St. John’s Choir – joined by ensemble members of the Winston-Salem Symphony – as […]
orchestra
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 […]
Sierra: A Vibrant Work
On October 21, world renowned saxophonist James Carter joins the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Roberto Sierra’s Concerto for Saxophones. Thomas Wilkins guest conducts. Commissioned by the Detroit Symphony, Sierra wrote the 23-minute concerto for Carter who premiered it in 2002 under the baton of then-music director Neeme Järvi. The concerto blends classical and jazz […]
Sierra: Wonderful and Electrifying
“It began about 15 months ago with a wonderful performance I heard featuring James Carter and Roberto Sierra’s Caribbean Rhapsody at the Oregon Symphony!” On the eve of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra’s August 27 world premiere of Caribbean Rhapsody’s new chamber orchestra version, conductor Sarah Ioannides shares some thoughts about Sierra’s popular work. The performance features […]
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 […]
Lee: Important Things to Say
“James Lee’s new piece Thurgood’s Rhapsody is wonderful!” Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony, introduces us to the composer’s new work Thurgood’s Rhapsody, which premieres on June 9. Commissioned by Classical Movements, Inc. for Alsop and the orchestra, Lee was one of ten American composers asked to create short celebratory works in honor […]
Moravec: Masterfully Composed
“We, the Orchestra of the League of Composers, programmed Paul Moravec’s Sempre Diritto! because it is such an ebullient, upbeat burst of energy — and [it is] masterfully composed.” Music Director Louis Karchin enthuses on the eve of the orchestra’s June 1 season finale concert. The concert takes place at Columbia University’s Miller Theatre as […]
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’ […]
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 […]
Frazelle: A Cool Piece!
“Ever since the first time I heard Kenneth Frazelle’s The Swans of Pungo Lake, I’ve always thought it was a cool piece!” On the eve of the Society of Musical Arts’ (Maplewood, NJ) March 6 concert, music director Stephen Culbertson shares some insight into programming Frazelle’s six-minute work. The Swans of Pungo Lake was commissioned […]
