Our First Four Years in Review

With the start of the new year, we want to pause a moment to reflect on the four years since Metropolis Ensemble’s founding, and many of the amazing opportunities that have come our way. Since 2006, Metropolis Ensemble…

  • commissioned 24 world premieres and 5 U.S. premieres

  • performed to capacity crowds in partnership with Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Celebrate Brooklyn, Le Poisson Rouge, Wordless Music Series, Smithsonian Magazine, Angel Orensanz Center, Americas Society, Chelsea Art Museum, Scandinavia House, and The Times Center

  • introduced a new version of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring in front of an audience of 10,000 in Prospect Park

  • featured in broadcasts by WNYC and National Public Radio

  • recorded its first studio album featuring composer Avner Dorman, produced by Grammy-winner David Frost, and released on NAXOS American Classics

  • taught music composition and creativity to hundreds of elementary school students through our Youth Works program at P.S. 11 in Manhattan

  • nurtured four young composers through our Wet Ink Emerging Composers program

  • collaborated with leading artists, including monologist Mike Daisey, producer David Frost, indie-rock sensation Deerhoof, accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman, international roots-trio Groanbox, vocal stars Hila Plitmann and Kiera Duffy, jazz saxophonist Marty Erhlich, and mandolinist Avi Avital

We’ve had the privilege of working with several world-renowned composers over the past four years, including John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and David Schiff. It’s also worth noting the incredible musicians who have appeared with Metropolis Ensemble thus far. Our roster - both past and present - now occupy leadership roles in orchestras around the world, including Montreal Symphony (concert master), Philadelphia Orchestra (first violin), Cleveland Orchestra (associate concertmaster), and St. Louis Symphony (principal viola). We are honored to share the stage with such bright young performers and composers! Accolades and statistics aside, the true heart of Metropolis Ensemble lies in each of you: our fans, friends, patrons, volunteers, and music lovers who continue to encourage us with each new concert. Thank you for supporting our mission to breathe life into classical music and inspiring us to reach new heights in the years to come.