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Jennifer Koh Launches "Alone Together" Initiative to Support Composers During COVID-19

Apr. 01, 2020

Virtuoso violinist Jennifer Koh has launched a new initiative, “Alone Together”, an online commissioning project that brings composers together in support of the many freelancers among them who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting financial hardship it has placed on many in the arts community. Twenty-one composers, most of whom have salaried positions or other forms of institutional support to carry them through this challenging time, have each agreed to donate a new, 30-second micro-work for solo violin, while also recommending a fellow freelance composer to write their own 30-second solo violin work on paid commission from the ARCO Collaborative, an artist-driven nonprofit that creates visionary musical and educational programs. Performances of these works began on Saturday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET via Instagram TV (@jenniferkohmusic) and Facebook Live (/jenniferkohviolin) and will continue on following Saturdays at the same time. 

Each performance will be subsequently available on demand via YouTube (/jenniferkohviolin). Ms. Koh will also share related content throughout the week leading up to each performance, including insights from each composer, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, and each musical score posted on social media.

The first installation of “Alone Together” began with the exploration and performance of four works including Wang Lu’s Hover and Recede; Joungbum Lee’s Hovering Green, commissioned at the recommendation of Ms. Wang; Vijay Iyer’s For Violin Alone; and Morgan Guerin’s Together, But Alone (In Quarantine), commissioned at the recommendation of Mr. Iyer.


(Jennifer Koh Performs Works by Wang Lu, Joungbum Lee, Vijay Iyer, and Morgan Guerin
as part of the “Alone Together” Performance on April 4, 2020)

Additional participating composers include Andrew Norman, Katherine Balch, Anthony Cheung, Ted Hearne, Marcos Balter, and others.

Ms. Koh is also donating her premiere performances and has committed herself to performing works from "Alone Together" as often as possible, ensuring not only greater visibility for their composers and these pieces in particular, but also compensation in the form of royalties.

Jennifer Koh notes:

“Our musical community has given me a sense of hope and light during these difficult times. Alone Together celebrates and supports our community creatively. We will look back at this time and be proud that we used this time to help other artists. And we can give ourselves and others solace by sharing creative space and giving artistic voice to our collective, universal experience during COVID-19.”

Visit schott-music.com for more information about Vijay Iyer and Andrew Norman.


Visit PSNY to learn more about Katherine Balch, Marcos Balter, Anthony Cheung, Ted Hearne.

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