Philadelphia Commissions

Composers have been so drawn to the lush beauty and unmatched virtuosity of the “Philadelphia Sound” that works have been written specifically for our ensemble and its principal players. Rachmaninoff dedicated the Symphonic Dances, his final composition, to this Orchestra in 1940. It has gone on to be one of the most cherished works of the 20th century. Likewise, this season embarks on a multi-year project to premiere solo works with our principal players, crafted by the leading composers of today. Yannick has created a week-long celebration bringing together three diverse composers and presenting their music in unique combinations for each concert. Chinese-born Tan Dun, Iranian-born Behzad Ranjbaran, and Philadelphia-native David Ludwig have written concertos for harp, flute, and bassoon respectively—-instruments less often heard as concerto soloists. All three composers will be present for the week, offering an opportunity to learn about the unique creative process between composer and soloist.