New England Philharmonic
TheNew England Philharmonicis a volunteer orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1976. The current music director is Tianhui Ng.
History[edit]
The New England Philharmonic, a volunteer orchestra, was founded in 1976, by Michel Perrault, then residing in Winchester, MA and Gervásio de Chaves, a resident of Arlington, MA, as theMystic ValleyChamber Orchestra. The first public performances were held in November 1977 inArlington, MassachusettsandBelmont, Massachusetts.[1]
In 1986, the orchestra took up residence atFramingham State Collegeunder Music Director, Jeffrey Rink and in 1987 adopted its current name. The orchestra’s musical director at this time was Ronald Feldman, then acellistwith theBoston Symphony Orchestra.[2]The orchestra was the orchestra in residence atSimmons Collegefrom 1996 through 2014. Richard Pittman served as music director from 1997 to 2022.
Repertoire and awards[edit]
The orchestra is known for its premieres of new works by contemporary composers, and its performances of both earlier works ofclassical music,as well as moremodern music.The orchestra organizes an annual call for scores from emerging composers, and also a young artists competition. The orchestra has received the Award for Adventurous Programming from theAmerican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishersseven times, most recently in 2011.[3]
The ensemble hosts a composer in residence each season. Past composers in residence includeMarjorie Merryman,Peter Child,Michael Gandolfi,Andy Vores,Richard Cornell, andRobert Kyr,the last of whom was the first such composer, appointed in 1985.[4]
The orchestra has received grants and awards from organizations supporting the arts, including the Aaron Copland Fund for Music and the Virgil Thomson Foundation. The orchestra is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency ofMassachusetts.[5]
Performances[edit]
The orchestra presents an annual series of concerts beginning each fall, appearing at theTsai Performance CenteratBoston University.[6]The orchestra is currently entering its 37th season.[7][8]
During its 35th anniversary season in 2011-2012, the orchestra gave two well-received performances of theWar RequiembyBenjamin Britten,together withChorus Pro Musica,theProvidence Singersand theBoston Children’s Chorus.[9][10]One performance, in Boston, was held at theCathedral of the Holy Cross.[11][12]A second performance, inProvidence,Rhode Island,was held at theCathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.[13]
References[edit]
- ^New England Philharmonic, “NEP History”
- ^Williams College, “Ronald L. Feldman”
- ^ASCAP, “ASCAP Adventurous Programming Awards Presented”
- ^University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, “Robert Kyr, Professor”
- ^Mass Cultural Council, “Cultural Investment Portfolio – Funding List – Fiscal Year 2013"
- ^Arts Boston, “Venue Directory”
- ^New England Philharmonic, “Concerts”
- ^Arts Fuse, Sep. 20, 2012, Coming Attractions: 2012-13 Boston Orchestral Music Season Preview "
- ^Bettina Norton, Boston Musical Intelligencer, Feb. 26, 2012, “Powerful Anti-War Poetry and Timeless Requiem”
- ^Anthony Palmer, Arts Fuse, Mar. 8, 2012, “An Inspirational War Requiem”
- ^Jeremy Eichler, Boston Globe, Mar. 5, 2012, “Philharmonic Joins Voices in Stirring ‘War Requiem’”
- ^Meghna Chakrabarti, Radio Boston, Mar. 2, 2012, “50 Years On, Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ Persists As Rebuke To Conflict”
- ^Channing Gray, Providence Journal, “Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ glorious, memorable event”
External links[edit]
- nephilharmonic.org(official website)