VIDEO: Boulez - Dérive 2
Nicholas Bentz featured on WBJC Podcast
SNO Co-founder and founding Concertmaster Nicholas Bentz was interviewed as All-Classical WBJC's inaugural Student Composer of the Month. Podcast host John Scherch talks to Nick about his future plans as a composer and violinist, his history with launching Symphony Number One and his perspectives as a composer. Nick even discusses one of the seven "totems" that guided his compositional process as he created Approaching Eternity for Symphony Number One. Listen to the podcast below:
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Album cover for Approaching
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Approaching Eternity in Photos
Take a look at a new trove of photos from last April when we premiered Approaching Eternity by Nicholas Bentz in April of 2017 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore. Photo Credit: Dan Rorke.
Music Director Jordan Randall Smith leads the orchestra in Bentz’s Approaching Eternity.
Principal Cellist Mike Newman and cellist Rob Erb Kaufman perform Nick’s work with its challenging writing for strings.
Bassoonist Mateen Milan was an guest artist with the orchestra at the time, but later auditioned to join the group.
Former Associate Concertmaster Kristin Bakkegard leads the orchestra
Current and former Principal Hornist Scott Ullman and Kelso Jones (respectively) perform with guest artist Gabriel Luciano and the woodwinds of Symphony Number One.
The composer in his own words: Nicholas Bentz gives a description of the basis for his sprawling new work, Approaching Eternity for Chamber Orchestra. just moments before the orchestra gives the second performances.
Take a look at this clip of Approaching Eternity, then learn more about our latest album (which includes Approaching Eternity), Approaching.
Composer's Notebook: Ben Goldberg
I’m thrilled to be joining Symphony Number One in my new role as Composer-In-Residence for the 2017-2018 season. I’ve admired their mission since their inception, and it’s great to be aboard. I would like to thank Jordan Randall Smith and the administrative team for this significant opportunity. We have a lot of great projects in the works and I’m looking forward to creating some memorable musical experiences in the coming year.
Composer's Notebook: Nicholas Bentz
The piece is conceived as one large swath of music, with seven distinct sections that flow into each other without pause. Each of these sections is demarcated by a cryptic ‘totem’ that relates to a piece of visual art, poetry, literature, or even film, that served as a creative impetus for the section. The sections, when woven together, create a life cycle beginning with the first movement: Ode to the Abyss.
More To Come
Now, for the first time, we are releasing a full-length album exclusively featuring emerging composers. More represents the best of Symphony Number One: three stimulating new works for chamber orchestra by a slate of three of the next generation's most promising voices, all lovingly prepared and performed in Baltimore.
A Letter from Selena
A letter from Principal Horn and Director of Development, Selena Maytum. "
Friends,
We have had a wonderful year of performing new music, gathering new audiences, and working with some amazing composers. One highlight for me was performing John Adams' Son of Chamber Symphony. That piece was one of the first "modern" compositions that I fell in love with as a horn player, and it was great to work with Jordan and the rest of our ensemble to bring it to life last May."
Best of Baltimore
Have you heard the news? We were named winners in this year's Baltimore Magazine "Best of Baltimore" edition! Chosen for the "Category Busters" award, we proudly share the spotlight with Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, and our friends from Light City!
Light City Tracks 3
Light City was an innovative way to bring arts, technology and people together, and we had a blast sharing such spunky, imaginative, beautiful music to the public.
We here at Symphony Number One are thrilled to bring a fresh variety of musical flavors to your plate, and we're buzzing with excitement
Wise Words on Moving Forward
Founding a start-up organization can be a monumental task, but Music Director Jordan Randall Smith shares some inspiring insights on his journey to Symphony Number One's creation, after sitting down with John Lim on the podcast Be Moving Forward. Have a listen!
Open Letter
An open letter from our Music Director. Jordan Randall Smith | Founder & Music Director
Dear Friends and Family,
Thanks to all of you, Baltimore now has a new cultural organization, Symphony Number One, and the internet has a new place for exciting and meaningful music by emerging composers. You helped us build it, you helped fund it, and you should be proud of everything that's come out of it!
Our fourth album is here! You can order your copy of Approaching directly from the Symphony Number One store!
Featuring:
Click on the links above to learn more about and sample each piece.