New artistic collaborations, especially in the world of classical music, are always an exciting experience. It’s not often that musicians get to work with the composers of the music they’re performing. As part of our new Listen to the Future Composer-in-Residence Program, we have the exciting opportunity to work with six living composers who are writing pieces for our ensembles to perform in the coming seasons. This spring, we’re thrilled to present that world premiere of Aaron Gage’s We Sailed to Other Worlds, performed by Accelerando Strings and Kaiso Steel Orchestra.
Aaron Gage is a multi-dimensional, award-winning composer . The inspiration behind his piece, which is scored for full steelpan ensemble and string orchestra, comes from one of Gage’s personal heroes, astronomer Carl Sagan. In a program note, Gage describes how humans have explored their natural environment starting with the land, eventually the sea, and even outer space. This ethereal piece is a “reflection on the exploration humanity has done in the name of discovery. A homage to those wanderers who came before us and who will continue to explore after we are gone.” Gage ends the note by quoting Carl Sagan: “We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still.”
Kaiso Steel Orchestra previously collaborated with Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018 to perform Gary Gibson’s Caprice. This is the first time our steel students will perform with Accelerando Strings, and the first opportunity for CYSO to commission a piece for a steelpan collaboration. We’re excited at the opportunity for students to play together cross-genre and explore an entirely new sound. Get a sneak peek at the piece in the rehearsal clip below:
Join us for this exciting premiere on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2 PM at the Logan Center for the Arts! Ticket and info on our website.
CYSO is grateful for support from the Sargent Family Foundation and the Zell Family Foundation for our Listen to the Future Composers-in-Residence initiative.
