New Orchestra of Washington


The following New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) concerts feature compositions by GU Music Program faculty member Professor Joel Phillip Friedman, whose music has been praised by the New Yorker as “beautiful and intelligent”:  

The Washington Post has called NOW ”a lean, lithe, agile organization, more chamber than symphonic and flexible enough to take on a wide variety of repertoire….outstanding…”
 

 


Friday, October 2, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

New Orchestra of Washington
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, artistic director
Fusion

The New Orchestra of Washington makes music relevant to new generations of audiences through virtuosic performances representing diverse genres, with fresh interpretations of classic works. Unconstrained by the structure or repertoire of traditional orchestras, the DC-based ensemble was founded in 2012 and programs inspiring, memorable concerts that are neither strictly classical nor purely academic. This program features Elastic Band for clarinet, strings, and percussion (orchestra version commissioned by NOW) by Georgetown University music professor Joel Phillip Friedman; Rush Hour, for amplified strings, clarinet and drum set by John Mackey; Imagine: Reimagined for clarinet, piano, and strings by Hernandez-Valdez; Soul Garden for viola solo and strings by Derek Bermel; and X Concerto for Clarinet and Strings by Scott McAllister.

DAVIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, GONDA THEATRE
$30 GENERAL | $15 FACULTY, STAFF, ALUMNI, SENIOR | $10 STUDENT

“a work of serious fun, which also draws on pop and jazz… has ingeniously transformed popular themes in a chamber setting”
The Mercury News, on Elastic Band

Prof. Friedman’s program note explains, “The title refers to both the elastic nature of the work – which happily straddles the Classical, 20th Century, and Pop music worlds – and to a pun: the ensemble writing is often more reminiscent of a jazz “little big band” than a traditional chamber ensemble.” 

He cites a wide range of influences for the playful, edgy piece, from Mozart to Earth, Wind, and Fire. “Growing up playing jazz, rock, and classical I was always struck by how the harmonic and rhythmic materials found in some 20th Century music, e.g. Stravinsky and Bartok, resembled the sound worlds of jazz and funk…”

Don’t miss this world premiere of the chamber orchestra version of Elastic Band, commissioned by NOW.



Friday, September 25, 2015 at 1:15 p.m.
FRIDAY MUSIC SERIES
New Orchestra of Washington

Program includes the East Coast premiere of Georgetown University Music Program Prof. Joel Friedman’s When the World Disintegrates Before Your Eyes for solo viola, John B. Hedges’ Clarinet Sonatina “Gumbo” (2008), and Mozart’s “Kegelstatt” Trio in E-flat, K498. This event is part of the free Friday Music Series.

McNEIR HALL, NEW NORTH BUILDING
FREE