Erie Philharmonic to host Grammy Award-Winning Composer Michael Daugherty


Erie, PA; The Erie Philharmonic is honored to welcome American composer Michael Daugherty to town for opening night in our 2015-2016 Symphonic Series. Mr. Daugherty’s visit is centered around the regional premiere of the “Tales of Hemingway”, a cello concerto written for renowned cellist Zuill Bailey and co-commissioned by the Erie Philharmonic. 

In addition to Saturday evening’s performance, Mr. Daugherty will be working with students from local colleges and universities in the Warner Theatre before the dress rehearsal on Saturday afternoon at 1:30pm. Executive Director Steve Weiser says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to interact with a living legend in the classical music field. Having personally played many of Michael’s compositions as a percussionist, including my first performance with the Erie Phil three years ago, I am especially excited to hear him talk about his compositional process with these students.” 

Following this master class, all students in attendance will be able to sit in on the dress rehearsal to watch the composer work with the orchestra and soloist, again presenting a unique learning opportunity. 

Daugherty’s music has entered the orchestral, band, and chamber music repertory and made him, according to the League of American Orchestras, one of the ten most performed living American composers. He first came to international attention with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performed one of his pieces at Carnegie Hall in NYC. In 2011, the Nashville Symphony’s Naxos recording of Daugherty’s Metropolis Symphony and Deus ex Machina was honored with three GRAMMY® Awards, including Best Classical Contemporary Composition. 

The Erie Philharmonic is currently exploring other co-commissioned selections for the 2016-2017 season and beyond. 

The Erie Philharmonic performs “Tales of Hemingway” on October 10. The concert starts at 8:00pm at the Warner Theatre, located at 811 State Street. Tickets may be purchased by calling 814/455-1375 or online at EriePhil.org.


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