The Albany Symphony’s 16-member new music ensemble will perform a contemporary Liederabend, or Song Night with singer Theo Bleckmann. Premiered at the American Music Festival in Troy, NY, the through composed song cycle comprises original works by the members of composer collective Sleeping Giant and new arrangements of existing pieces by Kate Bush and Charles Ives.  Blind Whino is an alternative arts center in Southwest Washington D.C.

Sleeping Giant, program curators & featured composers

David Alan Miller, conductor

Theo Bleckman, vocalist

Hannah Wasileski, artist & projection designer

Andres/Hearne                          I. Protection

Hearne/Andres                          II. To Whom it May Concern

Cerrone                                    III. Four Naomi Songs

Andres                                      IV. How to Pop and Lock in Thirteen Steps

Hearne/Ives                              V. The Cage

Hearne                                     VI. The Cage - #5

Cerrone/Ives                             VII. Serenity

Hearne                                     VIII. Shizz

Andres/Ives                               IX. Tom Sails Away

Hearne/Honstein                       X. The Cage #10

Honstein/Bleckmann                  XI. This Life

Cooper                                     XII. Sunday Calls

Cerrone                                    XIII. Sonata for a Chamber Orchestra

Hearne                                     XIV. The Cage #9

Norman                                    XV. Don’t Even Listen

Cooper/Kate Bush                     XVI. Under Ice

Honstein                                   XVII. Timor Mortis

The Albany Symphony's Kennedy Center debut will feature a collection of contemporary works that explore the history of Upstate New York and the bodies of water that surround and connect communities. 

David Alan Miller, conductor

Joyce Yang, piano

Carol Jantsch, tuba

Joan Tower: Still/Rapids for Piano and Orchestra

Michael Daugherty: Reflections on the Mississippi for Tuba and Orchestra

Dorothy Chang: The Mighty Erie Canal

Michael Torke: Three Manhattan Bridges for Piano and Orchestra

Albany is today recognized as the capital of America’s new music, thanks to the dedication of David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony.  “Intrepid” says the New York Times of this creative partnership.   “Adventurous” raves NPR Classical.

Bid “Bon Voyage” to David and the Orchestra as they perform the four brilliant new American works they will take to the nation’s capital in their Kennedy Center debut: Joan Tower’s “Still/Rapids” and Michael Torke’s “Three Manhattan Bridges,” performed by dazzling pianist Joyce Yang.  Tuba virtuoso Benjamin Pierce makes his Albany Symphony debut in Michael Daugherty’s “Reflections.”   And 150 young singers from the Capital Region join David  for Dorothy Chang’s sweeping “The Mighty Erie Canal.”

David Alan Miller, conductor

Troy Public Elementary School All-City Choir

Joyce Yang, piano

Ben Pierce, tuba

Joan Tower: Still/Rapids for Piano and Orchestra
Michael Daugherty: Reflections on the Mississippi
Dorothy Chang: The Mighty Erie Canal
Torke: Three Manhattan Bridges