Press Coverage
Building a hopeful future for new music to thrive.
Metropolis Ensemble is a Grammy-nominated nonprofit organization dedicated to commissioning and producing ambitious creative projects in contemporary music. Metropolis partners with world-class institutions such as Hollywood Bowl, The Met, Kennedy Center, BAM, and National Sawdust to produce site-specific performances.
Metropolis has garnered international recognition for many of our studio recordings, including Grammy, Juno, and Opus Klassik awards and nominations.
Metropolis collaborates with genre-bending expert artists, including Questlove, Tyondai Braxton, Emily Wells, Roscoe Mitchell, Timo Andres, Du Yun, and Vivian Fung.
As Seen On
Expanding opportunities for emerging music creators.
“Today's most promising new composers, featuring a revolving cast of the finest young chamber musicians around.” (NPR)WNYC broadcast of “The Rite Remixed,” Stravinsky’s icon reimagined by Ricardo Romaneiro, Ryan Francis, and Leo Leite at Celebrate Brooklyn! in 2008 with indie band Deerhoof. Listen now »
“Metropolis isn't just the hippest classical gang in the city; the musicians who play with them are also some of New York's best.” (Manhattan Users Guide)This popular newsletter highlighted the concert “LOOP,” featuring a world premiere co-commission from Ryan Francis in 2008 at The Times Center. Explore the concert »
Producing site-specific projects at world-class venues.
“The audience walked among musicians… first surprised, then charmed, and, finally, empowered by having control over their experience.” (Wall Street Journal)WSJ went behind-the-scenes at the Metropolis commissioned “Brownstone” in 2015, an immersive electro-acoustic installation in an Upper East Side mansion. Watch the video »
“A combination of forces… dedicated to contemporary music and sharing a truly visionary outlook… with driven, but elegant force, and with seeming ease.” (The Washington Post)In 2014, Metropolis presented a world premiere commission from Vivian Fung alongside other 21st century rising star composers at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. Read the article »
Recording ground-breaking studio productions.
“Metropolis Ensemble under conductor Andrew Cyr in full control throughout… I cannot recommend this album highly enough.” (Gramophone)Composer and pianist Timo Andres’ 2024 release with Metropolis, cellist Inbal Segev, and Grammy-winning producer Silas Brown, is a Gramophone Editors Choice studio album. Read the review »
“Vividly produced… a creation of its own, carefully considered for the studio… commanding attention until the end.” (The New York Times)The Times named Metropolis’ debut opera recording, “In A Grove” by Christopher Cerrone and Stephanie Fleischmann, one of the best classical music albums of 2023. Listen to the album »
Collaborating with world-class artists and organizations.
“Pianos and strings clash in explosions of third-stream jazz… deep-blue tones vibrate like Miles Davis' Porgy and Bess.” (Rolling Stone)Metropolis collaborated with Questlove and The Roots on projects including their 2014 release “And Then You Shoot Your Cousin,” performing together on The Tonight Show. Watch the video »
“Dapperly dressed brass players from Metropolis boarded the S. S. Hangover in Central Park, hoisted anchor, and dropped sail.” (Vice)In 2015, Creative Time and Central Park Conservancy presented a Venice Biennale installation in collaboration with Metropolis artists sailing across the Harlem Meer. Explore the project »
Creating and producing award-winning music.
Here are some of the awards, nominations, and editorial recognitions that Metropolis Ensemble studio albums have received to date:2010 Grammy Awards — Avner Dorman: Concertos
nominee for best instrumental solo performance with orchestra2012 Grammy Awards — The Roots: Undun
nominee for best rap album2013 Juno Awards — Vivian Fung: Dreamscapes
winner for best classical composition of the year2014 Grammy Awards — Timo Andres: Home Stretch
winner for classical producer of the year, David Frost2019 NPR — William Brittelle: Spiritual America
best classic-lectic album of the year2022 New York Times — Samora Pinderhughes: Grief
best jazz album of the year2023 Opus Klassik — Tyondai Braxton: Telekinesis
nominee for composer of the year and new classic award2023 New York Times — Christopher Cerrone: In A Grove
best classical album of the year2024 Gramophone — Timo Andres: The Blind Banister
best classical album of the year
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Armistead Booker
Digital Media and Community Engagement Director
press@metropolisensemble.org