Erie Canal Bicentennial
Water Music New York: American Music Festival
JuNE 4-8, 2025
Composer workshops and rehearsal readings, post-concert musical mingling at Evelyn’s Cafe, Dogs of Desire, the culminating Festival concert, recitals and more! All yours to explore and discover throughout Troy and Albany’s vibrant waterfronts.
4 world premieres | 5 days | 8 events
100+ musicians, artists, & composers | 1,200+ attendees
Review: Albany Symphony’s Dogs of Desire shines at EMPAC
By Joseph Dalton, Times Union
When Los Angeles composer Celka Ojakangas started work on her commission from David Alan Miller and the Albany Syphony Orchestra, she took the suggestion to ponder the history, influences and cultures related to the Erie Canal, a timely topic in these parts. Her wacky and riveting piece, titled “Un Sogno” (“A Dream”), was the highlight of this year’s Dogs of Desire program on Friday at EMPAC, part of the symphony's American Music Festival.
Review: Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival
By Joseph Dalton, Times Union
“A tradition of new things” may be an oxymoron but it’s a fair way to describe the Albany Symphony’s American Music Festival.
In Saturday evening’s grand finale at EMPAC, music director David Alan Miller led polished performances of four recent and ambitious works. There were some surprises and not everything held up. But that’s part of the ritual and the fun of ASO events, and the capacity crowd seemed to buy in.
Past Events
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
The Albany Symphony is commemorating the Bicentennial of the Erie Canal through music and stories, raising more voices to tell untold stories about the past, present, and future of the Erie Canal. Over this multi-year celebration, composers, artists, and communities will create compelling music and art for all to share along New York State Canal waterways. www.canals.ny.gov