From jazz saxophonist Fred Ho to up-and-comer Clint Needham; you’ve heard what the composers have to say for themselves, now is your chance to tell us what you thought about the concert!
Below are a few questions to get the ball rolling…
-What surprised you most about the concert?
-Which piece would you most like to hear again? Why?
-This concert used many nontraditional instruments. What do you think about how these worked with the orchestra? Why?
American Composers Orchestra (ACO) is dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. With commitment to diversity, disruption and discovery, ACO produces concerts, pre-college and college education programs, and emerging composer professional development to foster a community of creators, audience, performers, collaborators, and funders.
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38 comments
Anonymous
November 18, 2008 at 9:38 pmI come to ACO concerts because the instrumentation is always so daring. I think that is what 21st century music is all about!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 8:13 pmWhat surprised me most about the concert was its diversity and skill set. I most liked Greg Spears’ piece because it captured my serenity.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 8:13 pmFridays concert was amazing! Great music, great performers and a great conductor! Keep up the good work ACO!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmFred Ho’s piece rocked. I loved how these very different pieces came together for one really cohesive concert.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe Needham was a great piece!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe composers were so young. I liked the electric guitar.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI want to here the Makan piece again to see more of what the guitar was doing to make those sounds.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe Chamber Symphony was so dramatic. It was definitely my favorite piece.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmIt surprised me how much I loved this concert. The music was so varied.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI thought Keeril Makan’s piece created a really unique sound world.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI loved Kamran’s piece for imagery, Fred’s for its energy, and Spears for the shimmering quality. This is the best concert I’ve been to all year!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe composers were so young! I really loved the electric guitar in Keeril Makan’s piece. It was making such amazing sounds.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI’m not sure the electric guitar added anything to Keeril’s piece. The percussion was more interesting
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI loved Finishing. Really enjoyed the calming quality and it was somehow surreal.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmIt was great to hear people experimenting with the unconventional instruments. I really enjoyed Gregory’s use of dog whistles and tape recorders. They really added something to the piece. I thought Clint’s Chamber Symphony was just amazing.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI was surprised to see an electric guitar onstage with an orchestra. I want to hear Fred’s piece again. It was modern but with traditional asian influences.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI was shocked at how young the composers were. I have doubts about dictaphones.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI won tickets on WBAI!!! I loved it!!! The “Chamber Symphony” was so exciting!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe repertory for the concert was surprising. I thought the musicians looked scared and depressed. Only the conductor smiled. Horrible.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI thought using the nontraditional instruments (like the sax) was cool. The orchestra almost felt unecessary in the Fred Ho piece and the guitar didn’t sound like a normal guitar in the Makan.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI loved the Chamber Symphony. It was also really cool to hear a baritone saxophone with orchestra.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmWhat an eclectic mix! The future of contemporary music lies in fusion.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI just loved the diversity of the compositions. It was amazing to hear and read about the stories behind each of the pieces as well.
Clint
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe concert was amazing! All of the pieces were interesting and unique. Jeff and the orchestra really hit it out of the park with their stellar performances both on Friday at Carnegie and on Sunday in Philly!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmThe “Chamber Symphony” was amazing!!! I loved Fred Ho too, what an incredible player!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI loved “Domes”. It sounded so mysterious and intriguing.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI would love to hear “Finishing” again. There were so many intricate details.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI thought Clint Needham’s piece was completely unforgetable. It really touches the heart.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmACO reminded me what a real concert is about. It is about letting one’s body and soul immerse in completely enjoyable and surprising combinations of instruments and artists. Amazing. Thank you so much.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmFred Ho’s piece made me feel like a Cinderella at the Arabian nights. His piece really spoke to my Puerto Rican Heritage. I loved the video too!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI loved the energy of the last piece. I wanted to jump out of my seat!!! Great sounds ACO!
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmKamran’s piece “Domes” was so evocative.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmWhat surprised me about this concert? Dictaphones, Political Rock Beats, and a wicked Bari Sax.
Anonymous
November 19, 2008 at 10:38 pmI loved Clint’s Chamber Symphony. The music was so intricate and complex but very exciting! The tape players quietly playing at the end of the Greg Spears piece were also very moving.
Anonymous
November 20, 2008 at 7:34 pmMr. Spears' & Mr. Needham's compositions were excellent. A toast to the young composers! Mr. Milarsky executed all pieces with ease. Mr. Ho had a nice suit. Mr. Josel had a nice guitar.
Urania Mylonas
November 21, 2008 at 3:56 pmFantastic, mesmerizing, and transformational music is what ACO is all about. And then some! Friday’s concert was tremendous—I thought the entire orchestra was going to explode out of the concert hall with the fiery force and fury of Fred Ho’s composition.
It’s this kind of daring, courageous work that ACO is known for and it’s what keeps me coming back to the concerts. You get really interesting, smart, beautiful music by composers who are not only still alive, but kicking—and they all kicked my ass on Friday night. Bravo, ACO!!! Love, Urania
Anonymous
February 16, 2009 at 7:23 pmIs everyone here a shill for ACO?
Anonymous
February 16, 2009 at 7:24 pmActually I don’t think so… there are a few negetive comments on here as well. Noadias said: “I thought the musicians looked scared and depressed. Only the conductor smiled. Horrible.”