Redlands Symphony Partners With the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

REDLANDS>> The Redlands Symphony has announced plans to partner with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and three other orchestras on a commission for a new work to be written by celebrated American composer, John Luther Adams. The piece will be performed for the first time by the Redlands Symphony during its 2017-18 concert season. A specific date for the performance has not been set. "This is a truly historic moment," said Ransom Wilson, the Symphony’s music director and conductor. "The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and one of the world’s greatest living composers have decided that they want to collaborate with the Redlands Symphony. I am honored and thrilled beyond words, I can’t wait to share the magical music we will create with all of Redlands.” “This commission is an exciting opportunity for our orchestra, our community and the region,” said Jerry Bean, Chair of the Redlands Symphony board of directors, “It’s a first for us and we feel like we’re in some of the best company the world of classical music offers and we’re very honored to be a member of this group.” The other orchestras participating in the commission project include Camerata Pacifica from Santa Barbara, California, Chamber Music Northwest from Portland, Oregon and Emerald City Music from Seattle, Washington. The working title for the new piece is “there is no one, not even the wind.” The piece is being written for flutes, percussion, piano, violin, viola, cello and bass. Adams’ life and musical work is deeply rooted in the natural world. Adams was awarded the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his symphonic work Become Ocean, and a 2015 Grammy Award for “Best Contemporary Classical Composition”. Columbia University honored Adams with the William Schuman Award “to recognize the lifetime achievement of an American composer whose works have been widely performed and generally acknowledged to be of lasting significance.” Adams received the Heinz Award for his contributions to raising environmental awareness, and has also been honored with the Nemmers Prize from Northwestern University “for melding the physical and musical worlds into a unique artistic vision that transcends stylistic boundaries.” Born in 1953, Adams grew up in the South and in the suburbs of New York City. He studied composition with James Tenney at the California Institute of the Arts. Adams has taught at Harvard University, the Oberlin Conservatory, Bennington College and the University of Alaska. He has also served as composer in residence with the Anchorage Symphony, Anchorage Opera, Fairbanks Symphony, Arctic Chamber Orchestra and the Alaska Public Radio Network.