“It has been a busy week of rehearsals, mentor feedback and private sessions for four emerging composers selected by EarShot to have their orchestral works performed by the Sarasota Orchestra,” writes T. Michele Walker in Sunday’s (3/17) Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL). “Krists Auznieks, Nicky Sohn, Sam Wu and Kitty Xiao all heard their new pieces performed Saturday in Holley Hall…. EarShot, an initiative of American Composers Orchestra (ACO) in partnership with American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras and New Music USA, is the nation’s first ongoing program for identifying and promoting the most promising orchestral composers on the national stage.…The concert was lovingly conducted by Christopher Rountree … Wu’s ‘Wind Map’ … has a powerful beginning, leading with winds and percussion, vacillating from rhythmic to sostenuto suspension…. There is an old-fashioned elegance to Auznieks’ ‘Crossing’; the opening has the feel of a 1930s movie, perhaps a Max Steiner score … It quickly turned on its heel and became explosive … Xiao’s ‘Ink and Wash’ was inspired by calligraphy of contemporary Chinese, New York-based artist Gu Wenda.… ‘Ink and Wash’ began with the orchestra creating grumbling sounds, as much of the instrumentation was authentic and raw…. Sohn’s ‘Bird Up’ … encapsulates the composer’s perspective of the erratic nature of New York City.”
Posted March 21, 2019
