Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Riccardo Muti's New Album, "Contemporary American Composers"

Released on the CSO Resound Label, the recording features live performances in Orchestra Hall of works by Montgomery, Raimi, and Glass

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Riccardo Muti present three American composers on this recording that all have important ties to the CSO — from Philip Glass’ formative years as a student listener in Orchestra Hall in the 1950s, to Jessie Montgomery, who is the Orchestra’s current Mead Composer-in-Residence, and Max Raimi, who is a longtime member of the CSO’s viola section.

The album comprises Jessie Montgomery's Hymn for Everyone, Max Raimi's Three Lisel Mueller Settings, and Philip Glass' Symphony No. 11. All works were performed and recorded live at Orchestra Hall, Chicago.

The works by Montgomery and Raimi were both their first CSO commissions, and these are their world-premiere performances. Montgomery’s Hymn for Everyone is a meditation for orchestra that speaks to the significance of her emergence in today’s cultural climate through its reflection on the personal and collective challenges in the Spring of 2021. In it, a hymn-like melody passes through different orchestral choirs to a poignant effect. For each poem in Raimi’s Three Lisel Mueller Settings, he selects an admired colleague to enter into a dialogue with the soloist, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong.

Max Raimi introduces Three Lisel Mueller Settings below

Three Lisel Mueller Settings highlights the talents of Principal Clarinet Stephen Williamson in a waltz, Principal Bassoon Keith Buncke in an elegy, and Principal Bass Alexander Hanna in a metaphor for hope.

Glass’ Symphony No. 11 is part of the symphonic tradition that captivated him as a student. Each movement has its own unique character — the first bold and driving, the second crowned by a slowly unfolding melody, and the third a stream of cascading energy and racing percussion.

A video of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 11 can be viewed below.

“It takes courage,” says Glass of the CSO’s legacy of performing contemporary music, “and that courage becomes a tradition.”

To purchase and listen to the album, click here.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Muti, is consistently hailed as one of the finest international orchestras. Its expansive catalog of recordings has earned 63 Grammy Awards.

The album features mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong in Raimi’s Three Lisel Mueller Settings.

DeShong has established herself as a regular on concert and operatic stages worldwide, performing with the San Francisco Opera, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Dallas Opera, and more. Her recording of Handel’s Messiah with the Toronto Symphony and Sir Andrew Davis was released by Chandos and nominated for two Grammy Awards in 2018.