News

March 23, 2021

NWS announces Percussion Perspectives Festival

Percussion Perspectives Festival

Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony announce Percussion Perspectives. This season-long celebration of global percussion began in Fall 2020 and continues through April 2021. With concerts, master classes and seminars, Percussion Perspectives marks the second installment of NWS’s annual summit series that immerses participants in the world of a different orchestral instrument each year. Festival details, artist and participant profiles, and exclusive content available online at nws.edu/percussion.

The festival is highlighted by two concerts this spring, Latin Grooves on April 10 and Global Beats on April 24, which highlight the versatility of the percussion family of instruments. Latin Grooves features four works by contemporary Latin composers. Global Beats features tabla master Zakir Hussain performing the world premiere of his composition Chalan No. 1 in D, a New World Symphony commission. The concert also features the world premiere of NWS alumnus Alex Orfaly’s Danzón Luna, also a New World Symphony commission. Both concerts are conducted by New World Symphony’s Dean of Chamber Music and Fellow Development Michael Linville and will be available on NWS.edu.

Percussion Perspectives: Latin Grooves
Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 7:30 PM ET
Michael Linville, conductor
Perez Velázquez : un ser encantado, aguas saladas, y piedras infinitas
Perruchon : Mvts II, III and V from 5 Danses Dogoriennes
Calderón : Albores
Rosauro : Mvts III and V from Mitos Brasileiros

Percussion Perspectives: Global Beats
Saturday, April 24, 2021 at 7:30 PM ET
Michael Linville, conductor
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Harrison : Fifth Simfony
Orfaly : Danzón Luna
Reich : Drumming, Part I
Hussain/Dhillon : Chalan No. 1 in D

Percussion events from Fall 2020 were also part of this festival and included a concert of works by Bartók, Xenakis, Harbison and others showcasing world drumming traditions, and a Percussion Master Class with Michael Tilson Thomas which reached local students in NWS’s community programs, from partner organizations like the Atlanta Symphony Talent Development Program and students of alumni who hold principal positions in ensembles around the country.

Viola Visions, produced in Fall 2019, kicked off New World Symphony’s annual instrument-focused festivals.

Percussion Perspectives is sponsored in part by Art Mentor Foundation Lucerne; NWS Fund for New Ventures and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Knight Foundation and New World Symphony: Reimagining Classical Music in the Digital Age.

More information is available at nws.edu/percussion.

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Posted in: alumni, concerts, events, MTT, Percussion Perspectives


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