Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble is a dynamically evolving 21st century orchestra with a dedication to creating a future for classical music both of and for the times we live in. Founder and conductor Andrew Cyr, who has been called “a prominent influence in the world of newly emerging music,” by the Washington Post). Metropolis Ensemble exists to support ascending contemporary classical performers and composers, often engaging them with other bleeding-edge cultural innovators and artists through its unique collaborative process.
This season’s performances reflect Metropolis Ensemble’s ongoing process of forming highly collaborative and nurturing relationships with artists to make and present large-scale projects. Past partnerships include major live presentations and studio recordings with artists such as Avi Avital, Timo Andres, Questlove, William Britelle with Wye Oak and Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and Emily Wells.
The collective has announced additional performances for their already underway 2019-2020 season. New events will find collaborations with the collective 37d03d at Eaux Claires Hiver in Wisconsin, as well as pop up shows in New York City.
Several of this season’s events in New York City are being held at Metropolis Ensemble’s pop-up venue called 1 Rivington, which Metropolis launched in 2017 to provide a place for new projects and collaborations to take shape in a supported framework. It has since presented more than 75 performances and commissioned dozens of new works in the loft space. Through these various forms of support and collaboration, Metropolis Ensemble works to re-imagine what a classical music ensemble and community can be in the 21st century. For more information on events, visit their website for details.
Metropolis Ensemble 2019-2020 season upcoming performances
11/22-23/19 — Eaux Claires Hiver – Eau Claire, WI (various locations)
Members of the Metropolis Ensemble community will join the collective 37d03d (“People”) for an immersive weekend of performance and improvisation featuring Ani DiFranco, Aaron Dessner, Justin Vernon, Pieta Brown, Jon Hopkins, Willam Brittelle, and more.
11/23/19 — Oak and the Ghost: Music of Nathan Schram – NY, NY at 1 Rivington
The album release performance for violist Nathan Schram’s Oak and the Ghost (New Amsterdam Records), featuring the Attacca Quartet. Schram’s music meshes the acoustic world of the classical string quartet with the bumps, bruises, and richness of modern electronica.
12/02/19 — Ecstatic Music: Gaby Moreno, LADAMA and Metropolis Ensemble present ¡Spangled! – NY, NY at Kaufman Music Center
Guatemalan-born singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno is joined by the women of Latin Alternative quartet LADAMA and the Grammy-nominated chamber orchestra Metropolis Ensemble (Andrew Cyr, conductor) to perform music from ¡Spangled!—her new collaborative album with American musician, songwriter, arranger and producer Van Dyke Parks (Nonesuch Records).
12/09/19 — JACK Quartet Studio Readings – NY, NY at 1 Rivington
In partnership with Metropolis Ensemble, JACK Quartet will read and record existing works by artists who may not otherwise have access to professional ensembles and performance space.
1/03/20 — Fiona Gillespie and Elliot Cole: Tam Lin – NY, NY at 1 Rivington
A modern adaptation of the 16th-century Scottish ballad “Tam Lin” — a story of transformation and love to life in a musical drama weaving traditional Celtic, medieval, and modern musical threads.
4/02/20 — Ecstatic Music: Metropolis Ensemble and Bell Orchestra
NY, NY at Kaufman Music Center
A sonorous trip into the energetic abysses and meditative heights of orchestral music from Bell Orchestre’s upcoming third album, House Music, in a large ensemble arrangement by multi-instrumentalist and composer Owen Pallett, featuring Metropolis Ensemble. Bell Orchestre consists of six musical mavericks including Arcade Fire members Sarah Neufeld and Richard Reed Parry. The evening will also feature the world premiere of a new piece, more details to be announced soon.
