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.

“Upstate Obscura features Mr. Andres’s deceptively chaotic rhythmic hallmarks, but it also nods to Versailles’ heyday and Baroque ornamentation.” (The New York Times)

Metropolis presented a World Premiere from composer and pianist Timo Andres at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its exhibition “Visitors to Versailles” inspired by a giant 360-degree panoramic scene by artist John Vanderlyn at The Met. Read the article »

“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 »

"Recommended... Biophony: SoundGarden is an immersive soundbath experience created by composer Ricardo Romaneiro for Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s conservatories." (I 🖤 New York)

Metropolis and Brooklyn Botanic Garden collaborated over multiple years to create “Biophony,” a series of musical adventures with pods of musicians across the 52-acre gardens. Explore the project »

“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 »

“Metropolis Ensemble under conductor Andrew Cyr in full control throughout… I cannot recommend this album highly enough.” (Gramophone)

Composer and pianist Timo Andres’ Dolby Atmos studio recording, “The Blind Banister” with Metropolis, cellist Inbal Segev, and Grammy-winning producer Silas Brown, was named a Gramophone Editors Choice studio album for 2024. 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 »

“Avner Dorman writes with an omnivorous eclecticism… Metropolis Ensemble provides crisp, energetic support throughout.” (The New York Times)

Our debut studio recording, Avner Dorman’s Mandolin Concerto received a classical nomination in the 2010 GRAMMY® Awards for Avi Avital (soloist) and Andrew Cyr (conductor) with Metropolis Ensemble. Listen to the album »

“The music of Wye Oak with the gorgeous voice of Jenn Wasner... it’s a massive variation, a new symphonic retelling.” (NPR)

A fruitful multi-year collaboration between Metropolis, composer William Brittelle, and indie-rock duo Wye Oak has led to new studio albums on New Amsterdam and Nonesuch Records and concerts at Hollywood Bowl, Symphony Space, Public Records, and CIT Ireland. Explore the projects »

“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 NYC newsletter highlighted the Metropolis concert “LOOP,” featuring a world premiere co-commission from composer Ryan Francis in 2008 at The Times Center. Explore the concert »

“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 »

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 orchestra

• 2012 Grammy Awards — The Roots: Undun
  nominee for best rap album

• 2013 Juno Awards — Vivian Fung: Dreamscapes
  winner for best classical composition of the year

• 2014 Grammy Awards — Timo Andres: Home Stretch
  winner for classical producer of the year, David Frost

• 2019 NPR — William Brittelle: Spiritual America
  best classic-lectic album of the year

• 2022 New York Times — Samora Pinderhughes: Grief
  best jazz album of the year

• 2023 Opus Klassik — Tyondai Braxton: Telekinesis
  nominee for composer of the year and new classic award

• 2023 New York Times — Christopher Cerrone: In A Grove
  best classical album of the year

• 2024 Gramophone — Timo Andres: The Blind Banister
  best classical album of the year

Press Kit

Press Queries

Armistead Booker
Digital Media and Community Engagement Director
press@metropolisensemble.org