Composer Augusta Read Thomas to Premiere Four Pieces in 2012 - 2013

A440 Arts Group announces four major world premieres by American composer Augusta Read Thomas taking place in the upcoming 2012-2013 season, including commissions from the University of Notre Dame, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, China, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Praised for her extraordinary compositional versatility, Augusta Read Thomas has been praised as "a prodigious talent" (Russell Platt, The New Yorker) whose music "fairly explodes with an extroverted boldness of utterance audiences and musicians alike find challenging yet immediate. It's music that doesn't sound like anybody else's-music that insists you pay attention." (John von Rhein, The Chicago Tribune)

Thomas' catalogue boasts more than 118 scores, commissioned by some of the most recognized performers, ensembles, and conductors in the world. In addition to the world premieres and other significant performances in 2012-2013, Thomas will continue her commitment to education of rising young composers. She will lead the Advanced Master Class for composers at the Aspen Music Festival from June 23- July 21, 2012, and serve as Mentor Composer from January 8-11, 2013, at the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Resounding Earth on September 30, 2012, featuring Third Coast Percussion
at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, University of Notre Dame

Earth Echoes on October 11, 2012, at Carnegie Hall featuring the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra,
mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and baritone Nathan Gunn

Harvest Drum on December 20, 2012, featuring the National Centre for the Performing Arts Symphony Orchestra, Beijing, China

Cello Concerto No. 3, on March 14-16, 2013, featuring the Boston Symphony Orchestra,
conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, featuring cellist Lynn Harrell

Photo © by Michael Lutch.