Metropolitan

Newman and famed Better Half at Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Sunday saw the world premiere of Jonathan Newman's orchestral work, Metropolitan. The conductor, Allen Tinkham, did an extraordinary job leading the CYSO through this exciting, challenging work. The audience was extremely responsive and the piece was very well received. (FYI: there will be another opportunity to witness this piece at the Midwest Convention in December...)

What I found most interesting about the performance was that for the first time, I recognized the development of Newman's artistic voice. You can trace Newman's explorations in cell-stacked contrapuntal density back as early as the original setting of OK Feel Good, then follow it chronologically through pieces like Chunk, through Avenue X, and now on to works like The Rivers of Bowery and Metropolitan...

Where he goes from here... who could say? But in an age of commercial overhype and relentless trend-chasing, this is a rare and fascinating opportunity to witness an artist persistently hone their unique form of expression.

(oh, and yes - we did all hang out, and yes - there were pictures taken, and NO - you cannot see them)