"The music of North America would be vastly different if not for the richness brought from other cultures. That's one reason why the career of Tania León is so remarkable. If she had not bravely come to the US on a 1967 "Freedom Flight" from Cuba, she would not have gifted New York City and the country with her talents and influence, inspiring generations of artists."
Read More"After intermission came Ser. León's finely crafted and birdsound-haunted piece engaged the coloristic resources of the L.A. Phil to lovely effect. Especially memorable were the chirping clarinet and fluttering flute figures, set off by zesty writing for the brasses. Heyward led the orchestra with delicacy and mature skill, lending León's ethereal 10-minute piece a shapely character."
Read MoreListen as Tania discusses the Little Rock Nine opera, and the 60th anniversary commemoration of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High, which began on 24 September.
Read More"It was 60 years to the day since Minnijean Brown Trickey and eight other African-American teenagers integrated Little Rock Central High School at bayonet-point, protected by the 101st Airborne Division from racist mobs and a defiant governor. On Monday evening, after a day of commemorations, Ms. Brown Trickey sat in an auditorium at the University of Central Arkansas to hear how her life — and the more-than-timely story of the Little Rock Nine -- was being transformed into a new opera..."
Read More"Composer Tania León and historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. spoke last night to an enthusiastic and plentiful crowd at University of Central Arkansas's Reynolds Performance Hall last night, preceding the performance of four excerpts from León's in-progress opera "Little Rock Nine," with a libretto by scholar and playwright Thulani Davis. Vocalists Kendra Thomas, Ronald Jensen-McDaniel, Candice Harris and Nisheedah Dévré Golden, equipped with coaching from León before the event, performed arias from Act I of the in-progress opera, with Paul Dickinson at the piano.”
Read MoreThe Emmy Award-winning series about Latino culture in New York. The 30- minute show explores the rich textures of Latino society in the city, focusing on politics, art, culture, and the traditions of Spanish-speaking populations across the metropolitan area.
Read MorePresented to Artistic Director Tania J. León of Composers Now by NYCulture Assistant Commissioner Kathi Hughes, the proclamation said, in part: "Whereas: In a city of 8.5 million people, many of whom hail from around the world, our arts scene is as diverse as our residents. We are tremendously proud of the many different global traditions and heritages that have helped to shape our cultural landscape, and my administration is determined to provide people of all backgrounds with the opportunity to participate in our dynamic arts communities. With a mission to empower all living composers and honor their incredible work, Composers Now is an important ally in these efforts."
Read MoreAlong with León, highlighted were the careers of such prominent composers as Olga Neuwirth, Unsuk Chin, Meredith Monk, and Jennifer Higdon. The section on León includes an audio clip of "Oh Yemanja" from her opera Scourge of Hyacinths.
Read More"For the first time since she left for the United States nearly 50 years ago, the composer and conductor...will perform in her native Cuba later this month, conducting the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba in a program featuring one of her own works."
Read MoreHosted by Tania León, Dialogues is a series of inspiring performances, thought provoking conversations, and stimulating exchanges of ideas between composers, performers and audiences. Occurring in each borough, Dialogues offers five events that will focus on a different theme each year. The theme for this inaugural year is "The impact of the arts in our society." The first Dialogues will take place on September 25 at the Dwyer Cultural Center. Featured composers and performers include Marcos Balter, composer; Ryan Muncy, saxophone; Eric Chasalow, composer; Miranda Cuckson, violin; Valerie Coleman, composer/performer; and Rahzel, composer/beatboxer. Serving as a catalyst for the conversation are composers Elizabeth Hoffman, John Kaefer and Nkeiru Okoye, members of the Composers Now Board of Advisors and Distinguished Mentors Council.
Read MoreThe Los Angeles Philharmonic announced a residency with Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) that will culminate in a world premiere of a Tania León cocommission, entitled Pa'lante, which she will conduct at the 2016 Ojai Music Festival on June 12. Commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, Music and Artistic Director and International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Pa'lante suits the interests and abilities of both the budding young musicians of the YOLA at HOLA Symphonic Winds ensemble, and the seasoned professionals in ICE.
Read MoreThe Multi-Arts Production Fund (MAP Fund) has awarded the University of Central Arkansas College of Fine Arts and Communication a grant to support Little Rock Nine, an opera composed by Tania León with libretto by Henry Louis Gates Jr. The Little Rock Crisis of 1957 was "the most severe test of the Constitution since the Civil War," with nine black children seeking equal education at its center. The opera promises to "give voice to those who were mostly seen through grainy newsreels," and asks "[what will] win out: betrayal or courage, rage or principle, hate or the dignity of rising by learning?"
Read More"The most compelling and original of the new scores was Tania León's del Caribe, soy. A well-traveled symphonic conductor, teacher and founding music director of the Dance Theater of Harlem, León has fashioned a riveting vignette that mixes bird calls and whistles, fragments of Latin melodies, atonal piano effects and high, off-balance flute writing of the 1960s avant garde variety. León's misty portrait of the Caribbean sky, breeze and ocean is a terrific addition to the flute repertoire. Torres coped manfully with the score's extended technical requirements and León was a commanding presence at the piano."
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