On November 14, the Calyx Piano Trio premieres James Lee III’s new 18-minute chamber piece Piano Trio No. 3, “Tones of Clay,” at the Linde Center at the Tanglewood Music Center. Lee comments on his new work. “Piano Trio No. 3 ‘Tones of Clay’ uses the words ‘tones’ and ‘clay’ for two reasons. In my […]
world premiere
Silverman: The Song of the Trees
Composer Faye-Ellen Silverman’s new choreographed work The Song of the Trees receives its world premiere on November 5, 2021, as part of Composers Concordance’s Woodwind “Motion” series. The Songs of the Trees is a three-moment work that features the Sylvan Winds joined by choreographer Max Pollak in its first performance. The concert takes place at […]
Lee: “Amer’ican” Premieres
On October 29, 2021, the Detroit Symphony presents the world premiere of James Lee III’s orchestral work Amer’ican, conducted by Eric Jacobsen. Commissioned by the orchestra, Amer’ican was originally scheduled to premiere in April 2020; but due to the Covid pandemic it was postponed until this season. The 13-minute work was inspired by Dvorak’s celebrated […]
Sierra: Sinfonia No. 6 at Liverpool
“I want to make music that is communicative – so not only what’s on the surface will be enjoyable, but it will also offer some kind of intellectual discourse with a listener.” — Roberto Sierra On October 14, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic opens its concert season with the premiere of Roberto Sierra’s Sinfonia No. 6, […]
Lee: Destined Words for Juneteenth
James Lee III’s Destined Words premieres on June 19, 2021, as part of the live, on-stage, gala performance of the Baltimore Symphony’s “Marin Festival,” honoring Marin Alsop’s artistic leadership in her farewell concert with the orchestra. Commissioned by the Baltimore Symphony in celebration of the Juneteenth Holiday, the nine-minute work is scored for: narrator; 2 […]
Abels: “desert in” operabox.tv
“In a mysterious motor lodge…along a desolate stretch of highway in the American desert, customers pay for the usual amenities — a room, a pool, a lounge. But here, they also pay to be reunited with lost loves of all kinds…” June 2021 brings the premiere of “desert in,” a new, operatic television miniseries featuring […]
Knight: Of Perpetual Solace Premieres
On May 16, 2021, Edward Knight’s new choral and orchestral work Of Perpetual Solace premieres, sung by the Oklahoma City-based choral ensemble Canterbury Voices. Of Perpetual Solace features texts by librettist and visual artist M.J. Alexander. Described as a poetic and lyrical reflection on remembrance, resilience, and hope, Knight’s 45-minute work was commissioned in 2018 […]
Lee: Songs for the People Premieres
“Songs for the People has such beauty and depth. It has rich, musical sonorities that touch me to my core!” — Denyce Graves And so, celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves shares her thoughts about James Lee III’s new song, which premieres on May 1, as part of the Tulsa Opera’s “Greenwood Overcomes” concerts. Commissioned by the […]
Primiani: Gaudete Holiday Premiere
“After this incredibly challenging year of a worldwide pandemic, I’m looking looking ahead to next year and looking forward to enjoying hearing my music premiered during the 2020 Holiday Season.” And so, composer Leanna Primiani introduces us to Gaudete, her newest orchestral work, which receives its premiere on December 10 by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra […]
Frazelle: A Wonderful Journey
“It’s been a wonderful journey.” And so, choreographer Gary Taylor offers enthusiastic insight into his new ballet “From Appalachia,” which is set to nine excerpts from Kenneth Frazelle’s Appalachian Songbooks 1 and 2. The ballet — presented by the Piedmont Opera — will be premiered by the Winston-Salem Festival Ballet as part of the “Echos […]