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New York Premiere of Fred Lerdahl's Spirals with American Composers Orchestra

Oct. 07, 2013

New York Premiere of Fred Lerdahl's <em>Spirals</em> with American Composers Orchestra

Since 1977, the American Composers Orchestra (ACO) has reliably championed the work of both up-and-coming and established contemporary composers alike. On October 25 at Zankel Hall, the orchestra delivers the New York premiere of Fred Lerdahl’s Spirals, as part of the its “Orchestra Underground” series, conducted by Robert Spano.

A colorful and energetic work for chamber orchestra, Spirals was commissioned by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, who gave its premiere in 2007. The piece is representative of Lerdahl’s “spiral” form, in which he states simple musical ideas that are elegantly subjected to complex processes. Lerdahl elaborates:

The title refers to a formal technique of my invention, in which a short, simple idea elaborates into progressively complex and diverse patterns. Each cycle of elaboration enlarges the spiral. Shortly after the midpoint of each movement, the spiral reverses and contracts back to its point of origin while the musical ideas themselves continue to develop. This combination of symmetry and process culminates in points of great intensity.

Robert Spano makes his ACO conducting debut with this performance, leading the orchestra in an exciting program which also includes works by Julia Wolfe, Christopher Theofanidis, and a world premiere performance of a piece by Peter Fahey.

For more information on Fred Lerdahl, please visit www.schott-music.com.

Visit www.americancomposers.org for details on the American Composers Orchestra’s upcoming performance.

Fred Lerdahl
Spirals (2007)
for chamber orchestra
2.2.2.2-2.2.0.0-2perc-pno-str
18’

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