Library of Congress presents Schoenberg at 150: Experiential Orchestra
SOLD OUT
- Curtis Stewart, violin
- James Blachly, conductor
Alan Hovhaness — In Memory of an Artist, Op. 163
Irving Fine — Serious Song – A Lament for String Orchestra
Julia Perry — Violin Concerto (D.C. premiere)
Arnold Schoenberg — Verklärte Nacht, Op. 4
The Grammy Award-winning, New York-based Experiential Orchestra (EXO) led by Music Director James Blachly brings one of its signature, immersive performances to the Library of Congress to mark a trilogy of milestones—the Library's 100th Anniversary, and two significant birth anniversaries for transformative composers Arnold Schoenberg (his 150th) and Julia Perry (her 100th). EXO's performances have been described as "strikingly persuasive" by the San Francisco Chronicle and "immaculate" by Musical America, and bring listeners close to the music through imaginative and interactive experiences.
EXO gives the D.C. premiere of African-American composer Julia Perry's Concerto for Violin with four-time Grammy nominee Curtis Stewart, who recently made the first commercial recording of this landmark 1965 work with EXO as part of the recently released album, American Counterpoints. Stewart will perform on legendary violinist Fritz Kreisler's Guarneri instrument from 1730, part of the Library of Congress's collection. Violinist and author Ling Ling Huang (Natural Beauty, Dutton 2023) reimagines Arnold Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht ("Transfigured Night") from 1899, with new narration that aims to expand the concept of the poem by Richard Dehmel set by Schoenberg for a modern audience. Other works from the Library's collections will be highlighted, including Irving Fine's lush Serious Song: A Lament for String Orchestra and Alan Hovhaness' touching tribute, In Memory of an Artist.
About Curtis Stewart, violin
Curtis Stewart is a multi Grammy-nominated violinist/composer who enjoys bouncing between MTV specials with Wyclef Jean and sold out shows at Madison Square Garden with Stevie Wonder to stints at the Kennedy Center with the Jimmy Heath Big Band and runs at the Guggenheim, MoMA, and Whitney Museums in NYC. Curtis has performed as a classical soloist at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic Bandwagon, as well as held chamber music residencies at Carnegie Hall, the MET Museum, and National Sawdust. His work realizes a vision to find personal and powerful connections between styles, cultures, and music.
Curtis is Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra, faculty at The Juilliard School, director of Contemporary Music at the Perlman Music Program, has been commissioned to write works for the Royal Conservatory of music, The Virginia Symphony, WQXR in New York, Newport Classical Festival La Jolla Festival,The Eastman Cello Institute, The Knights, New York Festival of Song, PUBLIQuartet, and Carnegie Hall: Play/USA.
https://curtisjstewart.com/About James Blachly, conductor
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