2016-17 Season

The 2016-17 season marks ACO’s 40th season as a catalyst for the creation of new orchestral music, creating new opportunities for American composers and for audiences. The season includes two Orchestra Underground concerts at Zankel Hall and a final concert at Symphony Space under the direction of guest conductor Rossen Milanov.

The season also includes a performance of Steve Reich’s The Desert Music as part of the Wall to Wall Steve Reich marathon concert at Symphony Space.  And the 26th Underwood New Music Readings, our annual round-up of the nation’s top young composers, as well as emerging composers readings around the country through ACO’s EarShot network.

Friday, October 28, 2016, 7:30 PM – Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
Orchestra Underground: Contempo-Scary Music
American Composers Orchestra
George Manahan, music director & conductor
Nancy Allen Lundy, narrator and soprano
Maxwell Tfirn, electronics engineer

PAUL MORAVEC   The Overlook Hotel Suite from “The Shining”
(World Premiere – ACO Commission)
JUDITH SHATIN   Black Moon for Orchestra and Conductor-Controlled Electronics
(World Premiere – ACO/Carnegie Hall Commission)
BERNARD HERMANN   Psycho Suite
DAVID DEL TREDICI   Dracula

Friday, March 24, 2017, 7:30 PM – Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
Orchestra Underground: Past Forward
American Composers Orchestra
George Manahan, music director & conductor
Vocal Ensemble: Elizabeth Bates, Martha Cluver, Mellissa Hughes, Rachel Calloway
Mami Kosemura, video artist

STEVE REICH   Tehillim
DAVID HERTZBERG   Chamber Symphony
(World Premiere – ACO/Underwood Commission)
TREVOR WESTON   Flying Fish
(World Premiere – ACO/Carnegie Hall Commission)
PAOLA PRESTINI  The Hotel That Time Forgot for Video Artist & Orchestra
(World Premiere – ACO/Toulmin Commission)

Sunday, April 30, 3 PM – 11 PM (Exact Start Time TBD) – Symphony Space
Wall to Wall Steve Reich
American Composers Orchestra
Alan Pierson, conductor
Vocal Ensemble:
Sopranos – Sarah Brailey, Mellissa Hughes, Jamie Jordan
Altos – Kate Maroney, Kirsten Sollek, Tim Keeler
Tenors – Tomás Cruz, Andrew Fuchs
Basses –  Thomas McCargar, Jonathan Woody

STEVE REICH  The Desert Music

Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 8 PM – Symphony Space
ACO Parables
Rossen Milanov, guest conductor
Sharon Isbin, guitar
Rehanna Thelwell, narrator
David Tinervia, baritone
R. Luke DuBois, video

JOHN CORIGLIANO   Troubadours: Variations for Guitar & Orchestra
CARLOS SIMON  Portait of a Queen
(World Premiere – ACO/Underwood Commission)
NINA C. YOUNG   Out of whose womb came the ice for baritone, orchestra and electronics
(World Premiere – ACO/Jerome Foundation Commission)
BRIGHT SHENG  Postcards
(NY Premiere)

June 22-23, 2017 – Cary Hall at The DiMenna Center
26th Annual Underwood New Music Readings
George Manahan, music director & conductor
Derek Bermel, artistic director

ACO’s annual round-up of the country’s brightest young and emerging composers