Curtis Studio Releases “A Century of New Sounds”

Celebrating 100 years of the Curtis Institute of Music, the album features works by Barber, Bernstein, Eastman, Higdon, Holland, and more

Released on the Curtis Studio label, “A Century of New Sounds” celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Curtis Institute of Music with an album featuring performances by Curtis alumni, faculty, and students. 

The album’s special selection of chamber music was recorded at the school and presents a range of musical styles and ideas from Curtis composers past and present, and includes works by alumni of the school including Barber, Rorem, and Walker. 

“A Century of New Sounds” features Bernstein’s Sonata for Clarinet and Piano; Barber’s Canzone (Elegy) for Flute and Piano, Op. 38a; Jennifer Higdon’s Autumn Music for Woodwind Quintet; and D.S. Ludwig’s Three Pictures from the Floating World.

More works include Ned Rorem’s Mountain Song for Oboe and Piano; George Walker’s String Quartet No. 1: II. Molto Adagio “Lyric;” J.B. Holland’s Introit for Brass Quintet; Julius Eastman’s Four Pieces for Piano; and Gabriella Smith’s Anthozoa for Violin, Cello, Piano, and Percussion. 

To purchase and listen to the album click here. 

Pre-sales are available now; the album will be on all major streaming platforms from October 11, 2024.

Higdon and Ludwig are longtime Curtis faculty members, Holland is a current faculty member, and Smith is a more recent Curtis alum. Eastman’s work in the album is a previously unpublished work, which was licensed and arranged especially for this album by Elijah Daniel Smith, Curtis’ manager of new music activities. 

Featured artists on the album are the Dover Quartet and the Imani Winds ensemble, alongside session artists including violinists Emmalena Huning and Maya Anjali Buchanan, cellists Matthew Christakos and Ania Lewis, and violist Sumin Kim. 

More musicians on the album comprise brass players Kristin Andlauer, Dasara Beta, Noah Urquidi, Justin Bernardi, and Diogo Fernandes; woodwind players Daniel Matsukawa, Katherine Needleman, Patrick Williams, and David Shifrin; pianists Jiacheng Xiong, Natalie Zhu, Delvan Lin, Amy Yang, and percussionist Tae McLoughlin. 

“This small but impactful group of composers, heard together, offers listeners a sonic taste of the many distinct musical voices that have emerged from Curtis,” said Curtis alum and chair of composition studies, Nick DiBerardino in the press release. 

“The combined efforts of these composers represent a deep commitment to the future of our art form and a blend of tradition and innovation that is a hallmark of the Curtis approach,” he added. “Whether articulated on strings, winds, brass, percussion, or keyboards, as performed by Curtis faculty, alumni, or current students, this music is a testament to the quality, expressivity, and individuality of Curtis composers.”