Classical Music Finds a Way to Showcase New Works

Posted in News on September 1, 2020

Across the country beginning in early March, classical concerts were being postponed, then canceled. Since then, though concert halls remain dark, the creation and performance of music has continued, thanks to numerous classical music organizations that have stepped up during these unprecedented times to ensure that classical composers have platforms on which to celebrate new works. The American Composers Orchestra, the Tesla Quartet, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, as well as the duo HOCKET and the Library of Congress have all redirected scarce resources to create innovative programs, each one commissioning several composers to create works to be presented online. This tremendous support, aimed at continuing to bring the classical community together with its enthusiastic audiences, also includes recognition of the talented musicians who perform the exciting new creations while videotaping their performances in socially distanced settings.

“We offered these commissions to ensure that composers and performers continue to keep art alive during this dark time. Out of these collaborations, we hope that new creative relationships will be born and sustained into the future,” said Derek Bermel, Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra.

In the spirit of this immense generosity, BMI is proud to congratulate these organizations and our composers who were invited to participate.

Tesla Quartet’s “Alternating Currents”
Kevin Day, Gilbert Galindo, and Kerwin Young.

HOCKET’S “What 2020 Sounds Like”
Richard An, Marcos Balter, India Carney, Juan Pablo Contreras, Donald Crockett, Nick DePinna, Stephen Hartke, Paul Kerekes, Tonia Ko, Scott Lee, Cristina Lord, José Martinez, Noah Meites, Alexander Elliott Miller, Hitomi Oba, Vicki Ray, Matthew Ricketts (via SOCAN), Miro Sprague, Joel Thompson, Dale Trumbore, Alex Weiser, and Nina C. Young.

Library of Congress’ “Boccaccio Project”
Aaron Travers, Cliff Eidelman, and Ashkan Behzadi.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops’ “Fanfare Project”
Samuel Adams, Marcos Balter, Daniel Bjarnason (via STEF), Peter Boyer, Rhiannon Giddens, Laura Karpman,  Matthias Pintscher (via GEMA), and Tyshawn Sorey.

American Composers Orchestra’s “Connecting ACO Community”
Ethan Iverson, Lembit Beecher, Tanner Porter, Karena Ingram, and Yuan-Chen Li.

SOURCENews TAGS Classical Film & TV New York Marcos Balter Peter Boyer Juan Pablo Contreras Don Crockett Nick DePinna Cliff Eidelman Gilbert Galindo Rhiannon Giddens Stephen Hartke Karena Ingram Ethan Iverson Laura Karpman Jose G. Martinez Tanner Porter Tyshawn Sorey Joel Thompson