Project in Brief

  • Metropolis Ensemble partnered with The Metropolitan Museum of Art on a multi-year commissioning project

  • Film and live music created and produced with composer and saxophonist Matthew Evan Taylor

  • The project introduced a dialogue across African American, South Indian, and Western Classical music traditions

 
Impact by the Numbers

350K+

views on The Met's Instagram

12

short films with original artwork

30

musicians and composers employed

13

new original works commissioned

56

minute world premiere at The Met
 
Project Partners
 
 

Commissioning Project

January 2021
  • In response to the pandemic, The Met commissioned Metropolis Ensemble to create and produce a twelve-month music video series designed for Instagram.
  • Composer Matthew Evan Taylor has collaborated closely with Metropolis since 2016, including his 2020 studio album, The Unheard Mixtapes, on New Amsterdam Records.
 
 

Postcards to The Met

March 2021—March 2022 via Instagram
  • Metropolis created and produced 12 short films with original artwork by Juniper Creative.
  • Intimate digital postcards featured Matthew Evan Taylor, members of RAJAS, and Metropolis Ensemble artists.
  • The video series has received 350K+ views on Instagram.
 
 

Life Returns

March 24, 2022 at The Met
  • World premiere of an hour-long work by Matthew Evan Taylor, co-commissioned by MetLiveArts and Metropolis.
  • Specially formed hybrid orchestra, with Matthew Evan Taylor, vocalist Ganavya, Rajna Swaminatan’s RAJAS Ensemble, and Metropolis artists from the Postcards series.
 
 

Roundtable Discussion

February 14, 2023 via Zoom
  • MetLiveArts general manager Limor Tomer hosted a behind-the-scenes discussion with the creative team.
  • Composer Matthew Evan Taylor, conductor Andrew Cyr, and RAJAS mrudangam artist Rajna Swaminathan participated in the interview.
 
 

Digital Premiere

February 14, 2023 via YouTube
  • MetLiveArts premiered the full concert recording of Life Returns filmed at The Met.
  • “A monumental work that melds free improvisation and through composition to celebrate resilience and triumph in the face of despair.” —Slipped Disc
 
 

WQXR Broadcast

March 22, 2023 via Radio
  • Young Artists Showcase presented excerpts from Life Returns and Postcards to The Met.
  • Featuring performances by trumpeter David Adewumi and saxophonist Matthew Evan Taylor.
 
 

Life Returns: The Album

Coming 2024 on Parma Recordings
  • Metropolis and MetLiveArts are preparing the release of Life Returns.
  • The album will feature a hybrid orchestra, including vocalist Ganavya, Rajna Swaminatan’s RAJAS Ensemble, and Metropolis artists.
 
 
 

More Projects

Take an in-depth look at Metropolis Ensemble projects over the years.