“Composer and violinist Jessie Montgomery is having a moment. Make that a lot of moments,” writes Angela Allen in Monday’s (1/6) Classical Voice North America. “Her music is in demand by orchestras, chamber ensembles, filmmakers, and dance groups. She’s diving into opera as well…. In January alone, Montgomery’s explosive three-minute Starburst (2012) will be played by the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, South Bend Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and Hilton Head Symphony. The Houston arts collaborative Musiqa will engage dancers for Starburst. South Carolina Philharmonic will feature her [2016] Records from a Vanishing City…. She is a member of the New York-based Catalyst Quartet [and] a collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble…. Montgomery credits mentors [including] American composer Joan Tower [and] Laura Kaminsky.… Montgomery speaks eloquently to issues of inclusion in classical music: ‘Recently there has been a lot of interest from organizations, large and small, to highlight the works of marginalized groups, in particular women composers and women composers of color.’ … She says the exposure is timely.… Montgomery takes pride in the swelling interest in the music she’s adding to the classical canon. ‘It’s been a good moment for me,’ she said.”
Photo of Jessie Montgomery by Jiyang Chen
