Classical Domain Interview

What happens when you put Vivaldi, bluegrass, and Israeli folk music together? Why is an international cast of top musicians converging on New York City this month? Find out when Metropolis Ensemble conductor Andrew Cyr and featured composer Avner Dorman talk about our fall concert, On Record, with Classical Domain. Read the interview...

Avner Dorman: Concerto in A

This is part of our composer series on Avner Dorman.

Inspiration has many names. Avner Dorman's inspiration for his Concerto in A first came from Bach's Harpsichord Concerto No. 4 in A Major (BWV 1055). In 1995 while serving in the Israeli army, he heard the Bach performed on the radio. "I found the bright sound of the violins doubling the piano's top line very exciting, and then and there I improvised the opening tutti."

Avner takes us on a journey through the composition of his concerto: from Bartok and Ravel to jazz, rock, and Israeli horahs.



The second movement of the concerto features a long A-flat major seventh chord, influenced by avant-garde musicians including minimalist Brian Eno, jazz great Keith Jarrett, and Velvet Underground's John Cale.

Some of Avner's more novel devices appear in the third movement. He borrows techniques for the violin and harmonic progressions from The Police and Nina Simone. "I got even more ecstatic about the piece when I realized that using the traditional harmonic vocabulary enables me to effortlessly integrate jazz, pop, and rock elements into the piece."



Music credits: Dorman's Concerto in A performed by the Metropolis Ensemble featuring Eliran Avni on piano, Andrew Cyr conducting. Bach's Concerto in A performed by the Columbia Symphony Orchestra featuring Glenn Gould on piano, Leonard Bernstein conducting.

A Conversation with Avner Dorman

We're excited to introduce you to renowned Israeli composer Avner Dorman, whose complete chamber orchestra concerti are featured in Metropolis Ensemble's upcoming fall concert, On Record.

Through a series of recordings, Avner discusses the intimate details of each of his concertos, including his inspiration, important motifs, and some of his personal story along the way. We hope these posts will provide you a unique behind-the-scenes look at this bright young composer, and reveal a creative process that is as surprising and engaging as the works themselves!

Into the Studio

In October, Metropolis Ensemble is embarking on our debut studio recording. In the very capable hands of David Frost, 2005's Grammy-winning classical producer of the year, we will produce an exciting new album featuring music from our fall concert, On Record. Each of the four chamber orchestra concertos from composer Avner Dorman will be recorded and scheduled for a late-summer release in 2008. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates about the recording, mastering, and publishing process over the next year!

WNYC STAR Participant

Metropolis Ensemble is thrilled to be a featured participant in WNYC's Salute The Arts Initiative. WNYC profiles cultural nonprofit organizations in the New York metro area, and has selected Metropolis Ensemble as its featured participant for the month of September. Listen for our announcements on New York Public Radio, especially as we prepare for our upcoming fall concert, On Record.

Welcome Cristina Spinei

Metropolis Ensemble welcomes its 2007-08 Youth Works composer, Cristina Spinei. A Julliard masters student, Cristina will guide students at Manhattan's PS11 in our exciting composition class, culminating in a concert that showcases the students' work. Meet Cristina...

Composition Today Interview

David Bruce, our friend at Composition Today, recently sat down with Andrew Cyr to discuss the beginning of the Metropolis Ensemble, its mission, and plans for the spring concert and beyond. Read the interview...