Chris Thile, of Punch Brothers, has changed the mandolin forever, elevating it from its origins as a relatively simple folk and bluegrass instrument to the sophistication and brilliance of the finest jazz improvisation and classical performance. For more than 15 years, Thile played in the wildly popular band Nickel Creek, with which he released three albums, sold two million records, and was awarded a Grammy® in 2002. Recently, Nonesuch Records released the Grammy®—nominated Sleep with One Eye Open, an impassioned collaboration/conversation between Thile and guitarist Michael Daves, in which the upstart duo acknowledges the history and tradition of bluegrass while exuberantly defying convention. Thile also recently collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma for The Goat Rodeo Sessions. As a soloist he has released four albums, as well as performing and recording extensively as a duo with double bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer and with fellow eminent mandolinist Mike Marshall. He has also collaborated with a pantheon of musical innovators from multiple genres including Bela Fleck, Dolly Parton, the Dixie Chicks, Brad Mehldau, Hilary Hahn, and Gabe Kahane. Punch Brothers released their new album, Who's Feeling Young Now?, February 14, 2012, on Nonesuch Records. Completed over three weeks at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, the record was produced by Grammy® Award winner Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Modest Mouse). Thile's previous Carnegie Hall performances include a performance with Punch Brothers in 2009 and the New York premiere of his four movement suite The Blind Leaving the Blind in 2007.

Saturday
March 24, 2012
7:00 PM

Carnegie Hall
Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
New York, NY

Program

BERNSTEIN/arr. CHIHARA Suite for Small Orchestra from Trouble In Tahiti (World Premiere)
CHRIS THILE Mandolin Concerto
CLINT NEEDHAM When We Forget (Project 440 World Premiere)
COPLAND Appalachian Spring Suite

Experience two of the brightest American stars from the past century and two newcomers who are burnishing their own names into the national pantheon. We open with the world premiere of a suite from Leonard Bernstein’s one-act opera Trouble in Tahiti, a deeply moving blend of musical theater and classical traditions arranged by another distinguished American composer, Paul Chihara. Grammy-winning composer/performer Chris Thile—the charismatic leader of Punch Brothers, “one of the greatest young bands in the country, bluegrass or otherwise (Village Voice)”—makes his Orpheus debut with his own jaw-dropping Mandolin Concerto. Clint Needham writes bright, explosive music; his Project 440 commission will add to an impressive array of orchestral credits. The program concludes with the unadorned beauty of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, still the defining work of American concert music after nearly sixty years.

Click here for more information about Chris Thile's performance with Orpheus in Brooklyn at the Galapagos Art Space.

Clint Needham's new piece is a Project 440 Commission. Project 440 is a collaboration between Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and WQXR. Project 440 is supported by a leadership gift from an anonymous donor, with additional major support provided by Thomas Bishop and the Baisley Powell Elebash Fund.