15 Dec The Orchestra Now

I recently attended a fantastic symphony concert by The Orchestra Now (also known as TON) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The performance was part of their Sight and Sound program in conjunction with The Met’s curatorial division, in which a lecture on an artist or collection of specific works is combined with a musical performance that compliments the period in which the works were produced.

The particular performance I experienced was Honegger, Vallotton and The Avant-Garde in Paris. The show featured discussion on Felix Valloton’s life and art accompanied by Symphony No. 1 by Arthur Honegger, a French composer who produced music in the same period and whose path crossed briefly with Valloton’s. Valloton is also currently featured in a special exhibition titled Painter of Disquiet at the museum.

The program melded both aspects of music and art in a unique and creative way that enriched and expanded both disciplines. At the closing there was an additional illuminating Q&A session.

The Orchestra Now, led by conductor Leon Botstein, is composed of a group of vibrant young musicians from across the world who are making orchestral music relevant for today’s audiences.

They perform their own concerts as well and have a full program of events throughout the year. The orchestra is a special group and watching them bring classical music to life in an appealing and approachable manner was a perfect treat for the holiday season.