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 […]

Lee: “Untranslatable“ at Ravinia

On July 14, 2023, James Lee III’s new work String Quartet No. 3, “Untranslatable” premieres at the Ravinia Festival. The 21-minute work will be performed by Steans Music Institute Fellows. The afternoon concert will take place at Bennett Gordon Hall. Lee shares some insight into this new work. “String Quartet No. 3 ‘Untranslatable’ is inspired […]

Lee: Breaths of Universal Longings

On May 19, 2023, the Cincinatti May Festival Chorus presents the world premiere of James Lee III’s new choral work Breaths of Universal Longings. Commissioned by the Cincinnati May Festival in celebration of its 150th anniversary, the four-movement, 28-minute work is scored for soloists, SATB chorus, SATB youth chorus and orchestra. Music director Juanjo Mena […]

Locklair: The Harvard/ Ashmont Evening Service

On March 23, 2023, the Harvard Glee Club, University Choir, and The All Saints’ Choir of Men and Boys, Ashmont present the world premiere of Dan Locklair’s newest choral work The Harvard/Ashmont Evening Service. Music director Andrew Clark conducts the premiere — along with Edward Elwyn Jones — at Harvard Memorial Church in Cambridge, as […]

Lee: Visions of Cahokia Premieres

On January 28 and 29 2023, the St. Louis Symphony premieres James Lee III’s newest orchestral work Visions of Cahokia. Commissioned by the orchestra, the 13-minute work is scored for: 2 flutes; 2 oboes; 2 clarinets; 2 bassoons; 4 horns; 3 trumpets; 2 trombones; bass trombone; tuba; timpani; 3 percussion; harp and strings. Stéphane Denève […]

Silverman: Reaching the End of the Dance

“I’m very much looking forward to performing the premiere of Faye-Ellen Silverman’s new work Reaching the End of the Dance.” And so, cellist Kate Dillingham introduces us to the composer’s new five-minute, one-movement work for cello solo. Presented by Composers Concordance, the performance is part of the group’s “Radical Other” program will also feature choreography […]

Moravec: A Nation of Others Premieres

“In no time, no time at all, Antonia, you will be where I am. Standing on the deck of a boat approaching a new land, approaching America.” — Mark Campbell, librettist, from A Nation of Others On November 15, 2022, the Oratorio Society of New York offers the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winner Paul Moravec’s […]

Lee: A Rhapsodic Celebration

“Beyond Sensorial Portals is a rhapsodic orchestral work that can also be summarized with one word — celebration!” And so, composer James Lee III introduces his new work, which premieres on November 12, 2022, performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Music director Eric Jacobsen conducts the 11-minute concert-opener which was commissioned by the orchestra for […]

Abels: “Borders” Premieres

On September 23, 2022, soloist Mak Grgić, premieres composer Michael Abels’ Borders, Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, with ROCO (River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) in Houston, TX. Mei-Ann Chen guest-conducts. The two-movement, 17-minute concerto was commissioned for Grgić by ROCO and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (Iowa). The concert will be live-streamed, and will receive a […]