THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY

2019-2020

RISE UP
MUSIC THAT INSPIRES AND UPLIFTS

HERE TO STAY
September 20 and 21
The DiMenna Center for Classical Music
450 West 37th Street

MUSIC BY
Michael Boyman
Jeremy Crosmer
Eric Ewazen
Aaron Copland
Leonard Bernstein
George Gershwin

CONDUCTORS
Matthew Aubin
Nell Flanders

FEATURED ARTISTS
Mitsuru Kubo
Nautilus Brass Quintet
Alicia Bennett
 WE LCO ME
to the 2019-2020 Concert Season!

Dear friends,

This past June, we had the great honor of welcoming John musicians rotating as featured soloists, composers, and
Corigliano to two performances of his towering Symphony conductors. And for the fourth straight year, we will continue
No. 1. Afterwards he raved: “The Chelsea Symphony gave our partnership with the NYC Department of Correction to
a stunning performance of my First Symphony. It is a very bring music to underserved carceral populations.
difficult work, and they played it superbly. I was amazed at the
truly first-rate playing of the accomplished instrumentalists.” Thank you for your support of The Chelsea Symphony, and
While Corigliano’s score is deeply turbulent at times—he we hope you will join us often this season!
wrote the piece in the 1980s as a searing response to the
AIDS epidemic—the final impression the music leaves is of
gentle waves of sound, suggesting timelessness. Amidst Sincerely,
harrowing personal and societal circumstances, Corigliano
demonstrates that music has the transcendent ability to
bring peace. Matthew Aubin and Mark Seto
Artistic Directors
In this same spirit of hope, we are delighted to present our
2019-20 season, RISE UP: Music That Inspires and Uplifts.
Our concerts this year showcase music that celebrates
the enduring possibilities of humanity, even in the face of
adversity: Sergei Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony, written and
premiered in the closing months of World War II; Jennifer
Higdon’s blue cathedral, a loving tribute to a brother lost
to cancer; and beloved works by Mozart, Mahler, and
Bernstein. We are proud to feature one of our most diverse
lineups of composers ever, from marginalized voices of the
past (Amanda Maier-Röntgen, Fernande Breilh-Decruck) to
dynamic emerging musicians.

Our fourteenth season features five world premieres

written especially for TCS, and we are thrilled to continue
our annual composition contest for early-career musicians
in partnership with acclaimed conductor and composer
Gerard Schwarz. Every concert will showcase The Chelsea
Symphony’s unique collaborative structure, with our

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y WELCOME LETTER

 VIOLIN
Veronica Riner**
OBOE
Jacob Slattery
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Rob Wilkerson
THE PROGRAM
Stan Chen Zach Larimer Eric Schultz
Camille Enderlin Dan Shengquan
TENOR SAXOPHONE Matthew Aubin co nducto r
Nell Flanders*
CLARINET Aaron Irwin
Naomi Florin
Alicia Bennett* Jon De Lucia MI C H AEL BOYM AN Sonata for String Orchestra (World Premiere)
Minerva Ho
Christine Todd (b . 1989)
Laura Hutton BARITONE SAXOPHONE i. Energized
Angela Shankar ii. Foreboding
Hee eun Kim Kyle Landry
Nikki Kim BASSOON
E.J. Lee TUBA J E R EM Y C ROS M ER Masks: A Heroine's Tale (NYC Premiere)
Tilden Marbit
Stephen McDougall Graham Ben Stapp ( b . 1987 ) Mitsuru Kubo viola
Melissa Kritzer
Thomas Purcell Ben Vokits Friday only
Kyulee Seo TRUMPET i. Masquerade
PIANO
Emily Wong Rebecca Steinberg ii. Energico (H.Y.N)
Candace Chien
Victoria Yam Walker Beard* iii. Threnody (C.V.H)
Peter Kuan iv. Ostinato Mechanique (M.R.H)
Aviv Zalcenstein TIMPANI/PERCUSSION
Caitlin Featherstone v. Orange Wildflower (E.P.S)
Christopher McWilliams
VIOLA Phil Parsons* Ian Taggart
Brian Thompson ERI C EW AZEN Shadowcatcher for Brass Quintet and Orchestra
Tamika Gorski
Mike Boyman* HORN ( b . 1954 ) Nautilus Brass Quintet
Scott Still
Rebecca Chaqor Emily Wong
Saturday only
Sasha Friedenburg Adam Schommer
i. Offering to the Sun
Mitsuru Kubo* Meredith Moore ii. Among the Aspens
Nicolas Mirabile Emma Reber iii. The Vanishing Race
Matthew Aubin* iv. Dancing to Restore an Eclipsed Moon
CELLO
Sue Rangeley TROMBONE
Richard Beals Matthew Stewart
Alicia Furey Morgan Fite INTERMISSION
Danielle Merlis Jeremy Loudon*
Jennifer Shaw Owen Caprell
Violet Wang Nathan Wood Nell Flanders co nducto r

BASS
A A R ON C OP L AND Fanfare for the Common Man
Morton Cahn
(1900– 1990)
Nick Buonincontri
NAUTILUS BRASS QUINTET
Rika Buonincontri
Walker Beard and Philip Parsons, trumpet L E O N A RD BERNS T EI N Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs
Tim Kiah
Julia Cavagnaro, horn (1918– 1990) Alicia Bennett clarinet
FLUTE Jeremy Loudon, trombone i. Prelude
Kim Lewis Benjamin Vokits, tuba ii. Fugue
iii. Riffs
Dirk Wels
Michelle Stockman
GE O R G E G ERS H W I N An American in Paris
(1898– 1937 )

FIN

* Featured Artist
** Concertmaster

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y THE PROGRAM

 FEATURED ARTISTS Mitsuru’s future engagements include a
residency at Washington State University
The members of NBQ hail from various
paths within the music industry including
and a return solo appearance with the symphony orchestras, teaching studios,
She went on to continue her education at Jackson Symphony Orchestra. and concert production, but their synergy
the Peabody Institute of Music under the when together as a chamber ensemble is
tutelage of Victoria Chiang, completing Photo by Aaron Austin undeniable and an exhilarating experience
her Graduate Performance Diploma.
in live performance.

Mitsuru has attended festivals all over

the country, including Marrowstone
Music Festival, the Heifetz Institute,
Centrum Chamber Music Festival,
and the Aspen Music Festival. Her
performance opportunities include
playing for classical music greats Yo-Yo
Ma, Marin Alsop, Richard Goode, Gil
Shaham and James Galway to name a
few. Her performance credits include
venues such as the Kennedy Center, the
Mitsuru Kubo viola
United Nations, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln
Mitsuru Kubo is a homegrown, dynamic Center, and the Hammerstein Ballroom
musician. You could say she began in NYC.
studying music in the womb, while her
mother studied piano performance in Recently, Mitsuru has been sought after The Nautilus Brass Quintet
college. A native of Seattle, Mitsuru grew as a soloist. She has collaborated with Alicia Bennett clarinet
up in a home that revolved around music; conductor Matthew Aubin and composer Firmly committed to the creation and
she even lived with her first piano teacher Jeremy Crosmer to premiere new works performance of new works for brass Clarinetist Alicia Bennett is active
– her mother! She rebelled against with both the Jackson Symphony instruments, the Nautilus Brass Quintet as a performer and teacher in the
convention at the age of 7 by choosing Orchestra and The Chelsea Symphony. (NBQ) has established itself as a premier New York City area. She is on faculty
the viola as her primary instrument. The Mitsuru has continues to expand on new music ensemble. Since its founding at the 92Y, Bloomingdale School of
highlight of her early musician life was as a range of musical styles. Mitsuru co- in 2010, the NBQ has premiered over Music, and Turtle Bay Music School;
a devoted member of the Seattle Youth wrote and recorded an album with 23 works through collaborations with additionally, Alicia is a teaching artist
Symphonies, performing with them alternative pop/rock band Sonic Cult, commissioning partners such as New for the 92Y's Discover Music program.
frequently at Benaroya Hall, Key Arena, with whom she toured across the US, York City’s “Vox Novus” and the Women Alicia specializes in playing chamber
Meany Hall, and Safeco Field. Korea, and Japan. Mitsuru is a founding Composers Festival of Hartford, as well and orchestral music, and loves playing
member of the BeneSori String Quartet, as maintaining an open call for scores opera and new music whenever she has
At age 12, she travelled abroad to study members of which she met on the set of from composers around the world. the chance.
in Seoul, South Korea at the prestigious NBC’s Saturday Night Live, playing for
and competitive Sun Hwa Performing Imagine Dragons. She is also a regular In March of 2018, Alicia was a featured
NBQ strives to proliferate accessibility
Arts School. Upon returning to Seattle member of The Chelsea Symphony,
to cultivated brass chamber music soloist with The Chelsea Symphony playing
five years later, she studied with Helen New England Symphonic Ensemble, and
through educational partnerships Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto. Along
Callus at the University of Washington – Westchester Music of India Group.
that have included the University of with friends from The Chelsea Symphony,
Mitsuru later followed Professor Callus
Connecticut, San Jose State University, Alicia can be spotted in a handful of
to the University of California, Santa In addition to her performance career,
Virginia Commonwealth University, episodes in the Golden Globe-award-
Barbara. While in California, Mitsuru was Mitsuru is a dedicated teacher. Along
Assistant Director of the Santa Barbara and the Ossen Fund for the Arts, winning TV Amazon Original series Mozart
with her private studio, she is on faculty
Youth Symphony’s Preparatory String at Love Viola USA, Friends With Music, among others. in the Jungle.
Orchestra and was a frequent freelancer. and the 4Strings Music Festival.

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y FEATURED ARTISTS

Alicia received her Bachelor of Arts degree composition, studying privately with Breilh-Decruck featuring soloists from the In addition to his conducting work,
from the University of New Mexico Justin Dello Joio. He received his New York Philharmonic and President’s Matthew Aubin is the foremost scholar
in Albuquerque, and her master’s and Master's Degree in Composition from the Own Marine Band, amongst others. of the French composer Fernande
doctoral degrees in clarinet performance Manhattan School of Music, where he Breilh-Decruck. He has earned multiple
from Stony Brook University. studied privately with Richard Danielpour. In his role at The Chelsea Symphony, research grants to study her significant
Michael is currently the Operations Matthew Aubin has significantly expanded life and work. A champion of the critical
Photo by Masataka Suemitsu Coordinator at Carnegie Hall. the symphony’s prestige and recognition role of women in composition, Dr.
through highly visible projects such Aubin is working to promote Decruck’s
as collaborations with the television newly discovered lost music. He has
series Mozart in the Jungle, the American edited and created critical editions of
Museum of Natural History in New York her work, which are now in the process
City, and The Chelsea Symphony’s annual of publication, and has organized
competition for emerging New York area performances of Decruck’s music in the
composers with high profile adjudicators United States and abroad.
such as Conductor Laureate of the Seattle
Symphony and music director of the All- Matthew Aubin continues to be
Star Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz. Aubin has active as a freelance horn player and
led TCS in their Lincoln Center Debut and regularly performs across the country.
conducted the New York City premieres A devoted music educator, Aubin's past
of works by Mark O’Connor, Fazil Say, associations include Assistant Professor
and Caroline Shaw, and many others. He of Music at Washington State University,
also designed and conducted a series of adjunct faculty at The Hartt School, and
outreach concerts for inmates on Rikers Educational Programs Conductor for the
Island through a continued relationship Hartford Symphony Orchestra.
Michael Boyman composer Matthew Aubin conductor
with the NYC Department of Correction.
Composer and violist Michael Boyman A passionate advocate for American
is always searching for the perfect and contemporary music, Matthew
balance of form and expression. His Aubin has conducted and performed
music often tells a story, whether internationally from Carnegie Hall to the
from literature, visual art or personal Musikverein and many stops in between.
experience, and he aims to present that Currently in his third season as Music
story in the most vivid and emotionally Director of the Jackson Symphony
intense way. Michael is the recipient Orchestra, Aubin also serves as Artistic
of the BMI William Schuman Award Director for The Chelsea Symphony
and was recently featured in the in New York City. He regularly serves
2017 Minnesota Orchestra Composer as a conductor and consultant for film
Institute. His music is published by and television including collaborations
Theodore Presser Company. with the Golden Globe award-winning
television series Mozart in the Jungle,
An alumnus of the New York Youth Younger, and feature films Joker and
Symphony, Michael served as principal Bel Canto. Upcoming engagements
violist of the orchestra and was a member include the Symphonic Orchestra of
of Making Score, the organization's the Teatro de Paz in Brazil, Washington
composition program. Michael is a State University, The Hartt School, and
graduate of New York University, where an orchestral recording project of the
he studied political science and music concerti of French composer Fernande

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y FEATURED ARTISTS

 the Symphony Orchestra, and teaches
conducting and violin lessons. She is
PROGRAM NOTES
also currently directing the Symphonic
Wind Ensemble at Queens College. Sonata for String Orchestra the Nocturnes of Chopin. This melody
Since 2016, Ms. Flanders has been MICHAEL BOYMAN (B. 1989) becomes unstable when a solo violin
the conductor and music director of creeps in with a slithery, chromatic line.
the advanced orchestra of the Youth This sonata has no literal program, but it This intimates the arrival of the second
Music Camp of the National Concert does follow a clear emotional trajectory kind of night music: the creepy, bump-
Association in Panama City, Panama. - from the vitality and life-affirming in-the-night atmosphere as sometimes
rhythms of the first movement, to the found in Mahler and Bartok. Like the first
As a violinist, Ms Flanders has performed ambiguity of the second movement, to movement, "Foreboding" is a dichotomy
as soloist with the Chelsea Symphony the aggression and brutality of the finale. between two contrasting types of music.
and the Philharmonisch Orkest Mozart in Writing it was a personal challenge to
Amsterdam. Her orchestral work includes say something unique and compelling The third movement, "Ferocious," (not
Nell Flanders conductor performances with the Netherlands within a well-established form (calling it performed this evening), is pure hostility
Philharmonic Orchestra and Chicago a symphony seemed too grandiose). and aggression. There are no more
Nell Flanders’ conducting credits Opera Theater among many others. A fully formed melodies as found in the
include performances with the Buffalo musician of great versatility, she plays first two movements; everything is
The first movement, "Energized," is a
Philharmonic Orchestra, The Princeton in a variety of genres, including classical, fragmented and unstable. There is a
tightly-knit essay in sonata form. It
Symphony, and the Chelsea Symphony. baroque, blues and contemporary, with brief reprieve from a quartet of violas
begins with rapid 16th notes that form a
In her role as Assistant Conductor with ensembles including Corky Siegel’s recalling the romantic atmosphere of
rising and falling figure, gradually building
the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Blues, Dorian Baroque, and the previous movement, but the relief
toward a climax. This leads to a more
she conducted the premiere of a new Pocket Opera Players. doesn't last long. The tension increases,
expansive melody played by the violins,
choreography of Beauty and the Beast, becoming ever more manic and brutal,
with a repeating triplet accompaniment.
and during the 2019-20 season she A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory until the piece ends defiant and pitiless.
These two characteristic rhythms -
will be leading the orchestra in run out with a Bachelor of Music degree in articulated 16th notes and slurred
concerts and the orchestra’s annual violin performance and a minor in piano — Michael Boyman
triplets - form the building blocks and
holiday concert. She was previously performance, Ms. Flanders received a generate the tension of the movement.
assistant conductor for Peabody Opera Master of Music degree in orchestral The development section, instead of
Theater and served as cover conductor conducting from the Mannes School of Masks: A Heroine’s Tale
increasing the drama or intensity, strives
for JoAnn Falletta with the Buffalo Music- The New School and is currently JEREMY CROSMER (B. 1987)
to create a kind of stasis by delving
Philharmonic. An enthusiastic proponent pursuing a Doctoral degree in orchestral deeper into the rising and falling motive
of today’s music, Ms. Flanders has conducting with Marin Alsop at the Masks: A Heroine’s Tale was written
found at the beginning. The dramatic
conducted orchestral premieres with Peabody Conservatory. in 2018 for Matthew Aubin, Mitsuru
climax is saved for the reprise of the
groups including The Secret Opera In addition to her musical work, Nell Kubo and the Jackson Symphony
long-lined violin theme, now expanded
Company, Peabody’s Now Hear This enjoys rock climbing, dancing Argentine Orchestra. It is a concerto for viola
and impassioned. The movement
ensemble, MACE, and The Chelsea tango, and exploring other cultures and orchestra which celebrates the
ends with a brief coda directly pitting
Symphony, as well as conducting the through travel and language study strength of women, in contrast to the
slurred triplets against 16th note
premiere of Jochem Le Cointre’s opera male-focused romantic tone poems of
scales. The triplets reappear in the next
Steppenwolf at the New School. Photo by Ann Walsh the 19th and 20th centuries (Don Juan,
movement, becoming more aggressive
and obsessive. Ein Heldenleben, Harold in Italy, etc.).
Deeply committed to educating the Each movement draws attention to the
next generation of musicians and music different ways in which women shine
The second movement, "Foreboding,"
lovers, Ms. Flanders is on the faculty in society. “Masquerade” refers to the
features two different kinds of music
of the Manhattan School of Music way in which women have had to put
associated with the night. It begins with
Precollege Division where she conducts on a façade in order to be accepted
a hushed, romantic melody inspired by

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y

 as equals. “Energico” highlights the Shadowcatcher for “The Vanishing Race” adapts Native all the dirty work in the war and the
fortitude and vigor of a female fighter. Brass Quintet and Orchestra American songs memorializing the dead, army. He deserved a fanfare.” The piece
“Threnody” is about the beauty of love ERIC EWAZEN (B. 1954) at turns solemn, angry, and proud. The was first performed in March of 1943,
and compassion in death. “Ostinato famous 1906 image depicts a group of around income tax time in another nod
Mechanique” is about glorifying women Eric Ewazen’s Shadowcatcher for Brass Navajo on horseback heading towards a to the common man, and it has become,
in science, and “Orange Wildflower” Quintet and Orchestra was inspired dark and uncertain destination. in the words of Copland’s friend and
is about bursting through inhibitive by four photographs by the famous champion Leonard Bernstein, “the
restraints and shining as a unique American photographer, Edward Curtis. The final movement, “Dancing to world’s leading hit tune.” In addition to
individual. The darker, more subdued Known for his portraits of Native Restore an Eclipsed Moon”, refers to a its frequent use in popular culture, the
color of the solo viola, as opposed to Americans and scenes of indigenous life, 1914 image of Pacific Northwest coast Fanfare for the Common Man has often
a violin or cello, is representative of Curtis was called ‘Shadowcatcher’ by Kwakiutl dancers, ostensibly performing been performed for state occasions,
the plight of the female warrior as the some of those whom he photographed. a ceremony to induce the moon to such as the inaugural celebrations of
underdog rising to conquer. Though not a true ethnologist (it reappear following an eclipse. The music both President Clinton and President
has been revealed that many of the programmatically depicts the onset Obama, and the inauguration of the
Jeremy Crosmer is a remarkable young scenes and portraits were staged to and peak of the eclipse, culminating September 11th Memorial and Museum
artist, both as a cellist and a composer. appear more ‘authentically Indian’), in a cadenza for the brass quintet, and in New York. In the late 1930’s and
Crosmer completed multiple graduate Curtis’ multi-volume oeuvre The North ending with the peaceful and happy early 40’s, Copland was composing in a
degrees from the University of Michigan American Indian, is an indisputably reappearance of the moon. style which he described as “vernacular,”
in cello, composition and theory important work, presenting thousands using a more accessible harmonic
pedagogy, and received his D.M.A. in of images of Native Americans with a — Stephen McDougall Graham language and folk song idioms. Other
2012 at age 24. From 2012 to 2017, he sensitivity and respect uncharacteristic works composed around the same time
served as the Assistant Principal cellist for his time. which share the same aura of American
in the Grand Rapids Symphony, and Fanfare for the Common Man patriotism are his ballets Billy the Kid,
joined the Detroit Symphony Orchestra The first movement, “Offering to the Sun” AARON COPLAND (1900 - 1990) Rodeo, and Appalachian Spring, and the
in May of 2017. He is the composer draws inspiration from Native American films Of Mice and Men and Our Town.
and arranger for the GRS Music for flute music, and is characterized by Copland composed his Fanfare for the
Health Initiative, which pairs symphonic a complex and improvisational style. Common Man in 1942 on a commission The Fanfare begins with a solemn,
musicians with music therapists to bring Curtis’ photograph of 1925 depicts from the Cincinnati Symphony menacing motive in the bass drum,
classical music to hospitals. Crosmer a Tewa man, arms raised, seemingly Orchestra. CSO Music Director tam tam, and timpani, out of which
is a founding member of the modern honoring the sunrise. A pensive chorale Eugene Goossens came up with this the trumpet fanfare rises with noble
music ensemble Latitude 49, and a culminates in a representation of a project to support the war effort strength. Copland’s uses his signature
current member of the band ESME, a breaking dawn. and build morale by beginning each open fourths and fifths to evoke the
pop-classical mash-up duo that released program of the 1942-43 season with a majesty of the American West and the
its first CD in December of 2016. The second movement, “Among the newly commissioned fanfare, eighteen indomitable spirit of the frontier. The
Crosmer was awarded the prestigious Aspens” is inspired by an image Curtis of them in all, written primarily by fanfare theme builds and develops,
Theodore Presser Graduate Music captured in 1926 of a Chippewa tipi American composers. Copland took adding first the horns, then trombones
Award to publish, record and perform situated in a grove of Aspen trees the inspiration for his fanfare from a and tuba, interspersed with the
his Crosmer-Popper duets. Crosmer has next to a stream. Drum beats and speech by then Vice-President Henry thundering of the percussion motive.
taught music theory, pre-calculus and pentatonic melodies transition to a A. Wallace, who said, “Some have The harmonization of the fanfare gets
cello at universities across Michigan. scherzo simulating the rushing waters spoken of the American Century. I progressively richer, and eventually the
of the stream. say that the century on which we are percussion reconciles with the brass for
— Jeremy Crosmer entering, the century which will come a triumphant conclusion.
out of this war, can be and must be the
century of the common man.” Copland — Nell Flanders
more colloquially put it that “it was the
common man, after all, who was doing

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y PROGRAM NOTES

Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs biting reedy articulations that explore to teach him, fearful of disrupting As in my other orchestral compositions,
(1949) the color palette of the saxophone Gershwin’s unique and powerful music I've not endeavored to represent
LEONARD BERNSTEIN (1918 - 1990) family; finally, a punctuated piano 'break' voice. Gershwin eventually found any definite scenes in this music. The
leads into the Riffs section of the piece teachers to help him develop his rhapsody is programmatic only in a
Leonard Bernstein's Prelude, Fugue, and that features the clarinet playing melodic skills in harmony, counterpoint, and general impressionistic way, so that
Riffs was originally written in 1949 for riffs which are eventually traded off and orchestration, the results of which we the individual listener can read into the
clarinetist Woody Herman and his big bounced around the rest of the band. hear in his delightful piece, An American music such episodes as his imagination
band. Unfortunately, Herman's big The middle 'swing' unison of the Riffs in Paris. pictures for him.
band split before the piece could be reminds us that we are indeed listening
premiered so it went into Bernstein's to a big band (how hard we swing is yet Composed in 1928, An American in Paris The opening gay section is followed
files for later use. A few years later to be determined). The piece culminates sparkles with the vibrant energy of the by a rich blues with a strong rhythmic
Bernstein rededicated the piece to in a final flurry of riff-delirium played 1920’s. Gershwin made several trips to undercurrent. Our American friend,
Benny Goodman (who went on to by all, that crashes to a halt with a Europe, and it was during his second of perhaps after strolling into a café
record it with Bernstein conducting), sustained high-note trill in the clarinet, these, in 1926, that he came up with and having a couple of drinks, has
but Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs was first followed by a final two-note “hit” by the the idea of composing a symphonic succumbed to a spasm of homesickness.
performed and premiered by clarinetist rest of the band. work with a loose, episodic structure, The harmony here is both more intense
Al Gallodoro (well known in his depicting a nostalgic American tourist and simpler than in the preceding pages.
own right as the lead alto sax in the — Alicia Bennett experiencing the sounds and energy of This blues rises to a climax, followed by
Paul Whiteman Orchestra and bass Paris. It was on this trip that he bought a coda in which the spirit of the music
clarinetist with the NBC Symphony two of the taxi horns that feature in the returns to the vivacity and bubbling
Orchestra under Arturo Toscanini) on An American In Paris work. He returned to Paris in the spring exuberance of the opening part with
the 1955 televised Omnibus series GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898 - 1937) of 1928, bought two more horns, and its impression of Paris. Apparently the
entitled “What is Jazz?” Worth noting that summer, with a commission for an homesick American, having left the café
for the purposes of this program The three composers on the second orchestral work from Walter Damrosch and reached the open air, has disowned
is Bernstein's lifelong regard and half of today’s program have much in and the New York Philharmonic, he his spell of the blues and once again is
admiration for the work of George common. Born within twenty years of set to work, completing the piano an alert spectator of Parisian life. At the
Gershwin, who's music he was known one another around the turn of the sketch on August 1st. In an interview conclusion, the street noises and French
to program alongside his own for twentieth century, all three were the in Musical America later that month, he atmosphere are triumphant.”
concerts during his 40 year conducting children of Eastern European Jewish described the work as follows:
tenure at the New York Philharmonic. immigrants, and all three forged their The orchestration of the work is
It is my guess that he would strongly own distinctively American sound by “This new piece, really a rhapsodic particularly noteworthy, with the
approve of the programmatic pairing of incorporating elements of popular styles ballet, is written very freely and is the unusual inclusion of the Parisian taxi
his own Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs with such as blues, jazz, popular song, and most modern music I've yet attempted. horns, a trio of saxophones, lots of
Gershwin's American In Paris. Both American folk music into their classical The opening part will be developed in percussion colors, and the delightful
are representative of the indelible compositions. While Copland and typical French style, in the manner of use of the solo voices of the different
influence of jazz on symphonic and Bernstein both had highly pedigreed Debussy and the Six, though all the instruments of the orchestra, especially
orchestral music presented in concert musical training, Copland with Nadia themes are original. My purpose is to the trumpet solo in the central slow
halls worldwide. Boulanger in Paris, and Bernstein portray the impression of an American blues section.
at Harvard and Curtis, Gershwin’s visitor in Paris, as he strolls about the
Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs has three career as a classical composer grew city and listens to various street noises — Nell Flanders
distinct sections: the Prelude features, out of his extremely successful career and absorbs the French atmosphere.
trumpets, trombones, and drums as a composer of popular songs and
playing a driving rhythmic fanfare that musicals and his work as a popular
alternates between angular rhythms and song pianist. Gershwin did go to Paris
swung melodies; the Fugue features the seeking instruction from Boulanger and
saxophones with swoony melodies and Maurice Ravel, but both of them refused

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y PROGRAM NOTES

 ABOUT TCS
ABOUT Aiken, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Tony While maintaining its home base in the Brooklyn Music School. Beginning
Award winner Lillias White, Broadway Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, in the 2016 season, TCS has been
The Chelsea Symphony is a dynamic,
composer Seth Rudetsky, the Irish Tenors, the orchestra has broadened its reach honored to present a concert series on
self-governing ensemble with a major
and for fashion events for designers Malan in recent years. The ensemble made Rikers Island, and is the first and only
cultural presence in Manhattan’s
Breton and Kenzo x H&M. The orchestra’s its Lincoln Center debut in 2011, and orchestra to perform inside the facility.
Chelsea neighborhood. We present
annual holiday concert has featured guest has presented concerts at the United
music of the highest caliber while
celebrities Richard Kind, David Hyde Nations, Bargemusic, Symphony Space, The Chelsea Symphony performed
upending the traditional hierarchy of the
Pierce, Ana Gasteyer, Charles Busch, New York Fashion Week, Central Park, at the premiere event for the pilot of
classical orchestra: our musicians rotate
Andrea Martin, Rachel Dratch, Mo Rocca, Alice Tully Hall, David Geffen Hall (then the Amazon Original Series Mozart
as featured soloists, conductors, and
Victor Garber, BD Wong, Seth Rudetsky, Avery Fisher Hall), Merkin Concert Hall, in the Jungle in December 2014 at
composers. Through this collaborative
Judy Gold, and Annie Golden narrating The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Alice Tully Hall. Members of TCS
model, we provide professional
The Night Before Christmas by Aaron Dai. and the American Museum of Natural have served as consultants for and
development opportunities for our
History. From 2013-16, the orchestra can be seen in all four seasons of the
members while performing inspiring
A champion of new music, The Chelsea launched an educational programming Emmy and Golden Globe-winning
concerts of music both old and new.
Symphony has given the first performance initiative and has collaborated with the show as well as heard in the seminal
of more than fifty compositions and Harmony Program, the United Palace third season episode “Not Yet Titled,”
HOW WE WORK presented many regional premieres. Theatre in Washington Heights, and all available now on Amazon.com.
Nearly every one of the orchestra’s
The Chelsea Symphony is a non-profit, concerts features a work by a living
self-governing orchestra that aims to American composer. In 2009, the
provide performance opportunities ensemble presented open rehearsals
for its musicians while operating at an of Séance on a Wet Afternoon, the new
affordable scale. Soloists, conductors, opera by legendary Wicked composer
and featured composers all come from and Academy Award winner Stephen
within the orchestra’s ranks, and earn Schwartz, in advance of the work’s
this benefit by playing in the orchestra. premiere by Opera Santa Barbara. In 2013,
Our administrative operations are also the orchestra gave the New York City
handled by members of the ensemble. premieres of the Americana Symphony and
The Improvised Violin Concerto by Grammy
Award-winning violinist and composer
HISTORY
Mark O’Connor—a performance that
Founded in 2005 by young conductors was featured in The Wall Street Journal.
Yaniv Segal and Miguel Campos Neto, The Chelsea Symphony’s debut studio
The Chelsea Symphony has established a recording, Joy and Sorrow, a collection
reputation as one of the most innovative of world premiere compositions by
ensembles in the New York metropolitan renowned composer David Chesky, was
area. Shortly after its inception, the released in September 2015. In the 2014-
orchestra was featured in WNYC’s “Salute 2015 season, the orchestra initiated a
to the Arts” Initiative, and Steve Smith of composition contest for early-career
The New York Times praised the ensemble composers adjudicated by Conductor
for its “earnest, vibrant” playing. The Laureate of the Seattle Symphony and
Chelsea Symphony has collaborated with music director of the All-Star Orchestra
many noteworthy artists, including Clay Gerard Schwarz, now in its fifth year.

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y ABOUT TCS

THANK YOU JOIN THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
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 BOA RD O F D I REC TO RS

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS Matthew Aubin

DRAW
Mark Seto

PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Emily Wong

VICE PRESIDENT Stephen McDougall Graham

YOU R CON CER T SECRETARY Christine Todd

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 P AST W I N N ER S
Finalists and Honorable Mentions listed in alphabetical order

C OM IN G S OON 2019-20 2015-16

Winning entry: Winning entry:
THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY
In Between, Aaron Israel Levin Dawn, Paul Frucht

C OMP OS I T I ON C OM PETI TI ON Finalists:

Augustine's Ascent, Nathan Ball
Finalists:
Awake, Alan Hankers
2 01 9 -2 02 0 Sketch Book, Aaron Spotts Soundscape for a Century Past,
Jared Miller
Honorable Mentions:
Pugaw, Avner Finberg
On-again, Off-again, Jack Frerer
Pray Away, Ryan Lindveit 2014-15
Winning entry
The Chelsea Symphony holds an annual composition competition
Tightrope Walker, Michael Boyman
for early-career composers in the greater New York City area, now
in its sixth year. The application period will be opening this fall and 2017-18 Finalists:
Arion, William Gardiner
the winning entry will be performed on the orchestra’s concerts Winning entry:
on May 15-16, 2020. The winning composer will also receive a The Rest is Silence, Samuel R. Beebe Symphony in 3 Movements,
Michael Gilbertson
professional recording of the performances and an honorarium of Finalists:
Unhinged Carnival Fanfare Machine,
$250. The winning selection will be chosen by acclaimed conductor The Legend of Mulan,
Jonathan Russell
and composer Gerard Schwarz, Conductor Laureate of the Esther Shuyue Cao
Seattle Symphony and Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra, in Listening Through an Open Door,
conjunction with a panel of musicians from The Chelsea Symphony. Nicholas V. Hall

Watch chelseasymphony.org for more information!

2016-17
Winning entry:
Summer Mountains, Danny Gray
Finalist:
Aeolian Dust, Natalie Dietterich

THE CHELSEA SYMPHONY | H E R E TO S TA Y