The Genesis of a New Symphony
Presentation by John Harbison, Institute Professor of Music, Maestro David Zinman, mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, and moderator Benjamin Schwartz of the BSO
Sponsored by MIT and the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Free and open to the public | Reception to follow
January 11, 2012
6 - 7 pm | Kresge Auditorium, MIT
48 Massachusetts Avenue (rear), Cambridge
Complimentary parking at the West Garage
Presentation anticipates the BSO's world premiere of Harbison's Symphony No. 6
In anticipation of the world premiere performances of John Harbison’s Symphony No. 6 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra on January 12, 13, 14 and 17, 2012, the BSO and MIT will jointly present a roundtable discussion on the genesis of the new composition. The discussion will focus on several different aspects of the new work: its commissioning, composition, and rehearsal.
Joining composer and MIT Institute Professor John Harbison in the discussion will be Maestro David Zinman, who will conduct the BSO for these performances, and mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, who will sing Mr. Harbison’s setting of James Wright’s poem Entering the Temple in Nimes, featured in the first movement of the new symphony.
The discussion will be moderated by BSO Assistant Artistic Administrator Benjamin Schwartz, and will include a live performance of a vocal excerpt of the symphony with Ms. Murrihy. A reception in the lobby will follow at the close of the roundtable discussion.
More information
MIT Concerts Office, Clarise Snyder
mta-request@mit.edu | 617-253-2906
MIT Music section | BSO performances
L: MIT Institute Professor John Harbison M: Boston Symphony Hall; R: mezzo-soprano, Paula Murrihy
About
John Harbison, MIT Institute Professor of Music
Composer John Harbison (b.1938) is among America's most distinguished artistic figures. The recipient of numerous awards and honors (including the MacArthur Foundation's "genius" award and the Pulitzer Prize), Harbison has composed music for most of America's premiere musical institutions, including the Metropolitan Opera (The Great Gatsby, 1999), the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. His works include four string quartets, five symphonies, a ballet, three operas, a cantata, and numerous chamber and choral works, more than sixty of which have been recorded on leading labels such as Harmonia Mundi, New World, Deutsche Grammophon, Albany, Centaur, Decca, and Koch. Mr. Harbison has been composer-in-residence with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the American Academy in Rome, and numerous festivals, including Tanglewood, Marlboro, and Aspen. He received degrees from Harvard and Princeton before joining the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is currently Institute Professor, the highest academic distinction offered resident faculty. Harbison's music is published exclusively by Associated Music Publishers. For complete works, visit: www.schirmer.com.
Maestro David Zinman, Conductor
Paula Murrihy, Mezzo-soprano