European American Music Distributors Company is a member of the Schott Music Group

The Seattle Symphony Premieres Joseph Schwantner’s The Poet’s Hour...; Schwantner Completes Tenure as Featured Composer for the Ford Made in America Program

Sep. 08, 2010

As part of the Gund/Simonyi Farewell Commissions program, the Seattle Symphony premieres a new work by Joseph Schwantner, The Poet’s Hour..., on September 23. Subtitled “reflections on Thoreau”, the work is a soliloquy for violin and string orchestra, and will premiere opposite a program of Yefim Bronfman performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.2. The Farewell Commissions project is a new initiative to commemorate Gerard Schwarz's final season as music director, and includes commissions by 18 leading American composers of new music.

Maestro Schwarz comments:

Throughout my tenure as music director, I felt it was important to present a broad spectrum of classical music to our wonderful audiences. Introducing new works, particularly by American composers, has always been an integral part of that mission. I am humbled that all of these creative artists have agreed to participate in this project. I know it will make my final year as music director especially memorable for me.

The Seattle Symphony has also enlisted other composers from the Schott New York roster for the commissioning project. New works by Bernard Rands and Robert Beaser premiere on December 7 and February 17, respectively.

This fall Joseph Schwantner's post as the composer for the Ford Made in America commission consortium comes to a close as his work Chasing Light... completes its nation-wide tour to more than 50 orchestras in all 50 states. The good news is that this wonderful orchestral work is now available for performance by all. Contact rental@eamdllc.com to inquire about planning a performance.

Visit www.schott-music.com to learn more on the music of Joseph Schwantner.

Find out more on the Farewell Commissions at www.seattlesymphony.org.

Joseph Schwantner
The Poet’s Hour… (2010)
soliloquy for violin and string orchestra
"reflections on Thoreau"
ca. 13'

Chasing Light... (2008)
for chamber orchestra
2(2.pic)2.2.2-2.2.1.0-timp.perc-amp pno-str
17'

News