Maine Sunday Telegram: All's Well In Metropolis

Bob Keyes of the Portland Press Herald profiled artistic director Andrew Cyr and the banner year for the Metropolis Ensemble community, particularly regarding the album recordings: Avner Dorman’s Concertos (a 2010 Grammy nominee), Vivian Fung’s Dreamscapes (a recent Juno award winner), and the forthcoming album of Timothy Andres.

“Andrew Cyr admits, it feels really good to be right. The Fort Kent native and Bates College graduate began the Manhattan-based Metropolis Ensemble seven years ago for the single purpose of giving young classical music composers a chance to be heard. So far, it’s worked out well… People can connect the dots. It’s a small sample, but so far the Metropolis is two for two when it comes to launching the careers of composers whose music it records.”

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Portland Press Herald: An Honor for Andrew Cyr

From Bob Keyes on Sunday, Dec 12, 2010 in the Portland Press Herald:

Andrew Cyr, a product of the music program of Fort Kent public schools and founder and artistic director of the Manhattan-based Metropolis Ensemble, has a Grammy Award nomination to his credit. Metropolis Ensemble received a classical nomination for Avi Avital (soloist) and Cyr (conductor) for Avner Dorman’s Mandolin concerto, part of their first studio album, “Avner Dorman’s Concertos.” David Frost, who produced the disc, also received a Grammy nomination for his work on five albums, including the Dorman concertos. “It’s amazing. I am pretty thrilled at everything that is happening,” Cyr said by phone from New York. Cyr grew up in Fort Kent and received his degree from Bates College in 1996. He’s turned the Metropolis Ensemble into an important contemporary classical music enterprise in New York, and has found ways to encourage the creation of new work while recruiting new, younger fans to the genre. With the success of the Metropolis Ensemble and now a Grammy nomination, Cyr stands at the apex of the classical music scene in New York. “We made this recording back in 2007, and it came out in 2010. We never expected it to get this far,” he said. “We certainly dreamed about it, but we’re really surprised. “I was not even aware when they were making the Grammy announcement. I was working on a grant, working late into the night. The composer sent me an e-mail that said, ‘Congratulations,’ and a link.” Cyr clicked on the link, which took him to the official Grammy nomination page. He wasn’t sure what he would see when he got there, but one thing he was sure he would not: “I didn’t expect us to be there.” But there they were. A Grammy win would be a bonanza. A nomination goes a long way toward more recognition and credibility, for sure. Already, there’s a greater awareness of the Metropolis Ensemble and its effort to champion the work of emerging composers. “It’s just such an honor and a thrill,” Cyr said. “I guess what you could say it means is this: the academy listened and acknowledged that this is special music and a special recording.”

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Portland Press Herald: Spotlight on Andrew Cyr

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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