Florence Price and the Chicago Symphony Are Reunited—by Mei-Ann Chen

by SMBrown | Mar 1, 2013

On the cusp of Black and Women’s History Months, we’re celebrating that 80 years after her orchestral debut Florence Beatrice Price is currently making a comeback on the concert stage—thanks in no small part to conductor Mei-Ann Chen. Chen, maestro of both...

New Choral Commissions!

by sarah | Feb 27, 2013

In honor of their 25th anniversary season, the New York Virtuoso Singers have commissioned 25 new choral works from American composers. Thirteen of the new pieces will be premiered in NYC on March 3rd, including works by: Ellen Taaffe Zwilich Augusta Read Thomas Thea...

International Contemporary Ensemble Plays Gubaidulina

by sarah | Feb 18, 2013

The New York Times reviewed the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)’s concert honoring the work of Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina. The concert was part of the Composer Portrait series. Featured earlier this season was Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth. Look...

New Fanny Mendelssohn Recording

by sarah | Jan 31, 2013

The French string quartet Ebène just released a new CD pairing the work of Fanny Mendelssohn with her brother Felix. Visit NPR to catch up on a story done by All Things Considered about the ensemble and their new CD release. The NPR page also has the Allegro molto...

The Performance: Beach’s Concerto Comes to Life!

by Liane Curtis | Nov 16, 2012

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in area premiere of rare, remarkable Concerto. [update added at end after hearing second performance] Amy Beach was 33 years old when she gave the premiere performance of her own Piano Concerto (op. 45 in C-Sharp Minor) in April 1900....

Beach’s Concerto Comes to Life!

by Liane Curtis | Nov 15, 2012

It’s one thing to know a piece from recordings and quite another to hear it come to life in performance. For those trying to get to know Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto, I think it helps to be familiar with the three songs that she drew on for themes. These are...