Bob Keyes of the Portland Press Herald profiled Metropolis Ensemble and Artistic Director / Conductor Andrew Cyr during preparations for the April 5 concert I found it by the sea. The article explores the origins of Metropolis and how Andrew's dream from rural Northern Maine became a reality in New York City.

"With boldness and vision, Cyr's Metropolis Ensemble is accomplishing what larger orchestras around the country can merely dream about: commissioning and performing new music for an eager and enthusiastic audience in non-traditional venues... Perhaps what distinguishes the Metropolis the most, though, is its commitment to new music. Cyr embraces the notion that the future of classical music rests in its young composers."

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Labels: andrewcyr, portlandpressherald

David Hurwitz of Classics Today reviewed Avner Dorman's Concertos, and awarded the album a coveted 10/10 rating for artistic quality and sound quality.

"...Metropolis Ensemble under Andrew Cyr sounds absolutely terrific no matter what Dorman asks them to do. This is really good stuff, a genuine discovery, beautifully played and excellently engineered. It will make you feel good about the future of contemporary Classical music."

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Labels: albums, andrewcyr, avnerdorman, classicstoday, mediacoverage

Allan Kozinn from the New York Times reviewed Metropolis Ensemble's Love Letter to Haiti, a sold-out concert on Valentine's Day at Le Poisson Rouge that raised $6630 for Partners in Health and their world-class health care services to the people of Haiti.

Here is an excerpt from the review:

"All told, 26 works of various lengths were performed, most contemporary and eclectic, with standard repertory pieces cropping up on occasion. Some of those were among the evening's highlights. A short set by the Avenue 9 Trio and its members included a sweetly singing account of Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise" by the group's cellist, Dane Johansen, and a breathtakingly beautiful reading of Debussy's "Clair de Lune" by its violinist, Sean Lee, both accompanied by Edvinas Minkstimas the ensemble's pianist. Mr. Lee returned later to play Massenet's "Meditation" from "Thaïs" with the harpist Bridget Kibbey."

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Labels: andrewcyr, lovelettertohaiti, mediacoverage, nytimes, partnersinhealth

Amanda Ameer interviewed Artistic Director/Conductor Andrew Cyr about the marketing and online experience of Metropolis Ensemble, as well as the future of new music ensembles. Read the article...

Labels: andrewcyr, artsjournal, lovelettertohaiti, mediacoverage