Ancient, Modern and Bernstein

The New England Philharmonic, under the direction of Richard Pittman, has stepped up their commitment to commission and perform new works by locally based composers. All season long the NEP is celebrating Maestro Pittman’s 20th season as Music Director by featuring premiere performances from a host of composers with regional ties including NEP Composer-in-Residence David Rakowski, Bernard Hoffer, and Sebastian Currier.

On March 3, the NEP’s Ancient, Modern and Bernstein concert at Tsai Performance Center will keep the focus on local talent. The concert will include, Bernstein’s “Three Dance Variations” from “Fancy Free,” the Boston premiere of the late Steven Stucky’s “Symphony,” and the world premiere of the orchestral version of Eric Nathan’s “Paestum.” The March 3 concert will also include Ferruccio Busoni’s “Indian Fantasy,” for piano and orchestra, op. 44 (1914) with pianist, Jeffrey Swann, and Claude Debussy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune” (1894). The NEP’s 2017-18 season concludes with Dancing in Time on April 28, featuring the world premiere of David Rakowski’s “Water Music” (2018) and the world premiere of Bernard Hoffer’s “Three Pieces for Orchestra” (2018).