In Monday’s (11/30) Philadelphia Daily News, Tom Di Nardo writes, “New works are the lifeblood of the arts, the heart that pumps vibrancy into these reflections of our society. Philadelphia’s music scene must be healthy, since this season’s schedule displays at least 23 world premieres, plus a wealth of shorter, special-occasion pieces. … Though it’s impossible to quantify the effect of new music on attendance, virtually all performing groups have noticed larger audiences when presenting premieres. These debuts typically draw younger audiences who are more open to new sounds. … The Network for New Music lives up to its name, having commissioned, performed or presented 550 new pieces in its 25 seasons. And new works are also a signature of Orchestra 2001. This season alone, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Philadelphia Classical Symphony, Settlement Music School, Lyric Fest, Temple University, Dolce Suono and many more are unveiling world premieres. … Network has tried many innovative approaches to reach new audiences. Last year’s collaboration with artists and galleries for some concerts was a success, and its upcoming poetry project has generated interest with a whole new demographic. On Dec. 7, piano legend Leon Fleisher will conduct Network’s musicians in works by Hindemith and Stravinsky.”
Posted November 30, 2009
