Take a look at Catalyst by composer Ben Goldberg, performed at TEDxMidAtlantic 2017!

Symphony Number One delivers a “couture, customized” premiere of Ben Goldberg’s latest composition: “Catalyst” for chamber orchestra. With dazzling colors and rhythmic verve, this brand new work was written specifically for the TEDxMidAtlantic audience in this performance at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, D.C.

Prior to our performance, music director Jordan Randall Smith gave a "TED Talk" titled "Classical Music is Boring, and so are the Best Ideas" at TEDxMidatlantic 2017.

In the age of tweets, sound bites, and 2-minute pop songs, you would be forgiven for believing that ideas can uniformly be distilled into tiny, shot glass-sized containers. This is not so, according to conductor and arts advocate Jordan Randall Smith, who draws on examples from the tech industry, craftsmanship, and gourmet victuals as he dissects the elements of musical composition and performance.

Here are some great photos from our performance: