Friends of Today’s Music commissions new works specifically for young musicians, sponsored by donations through the MTAC Foundation. Established in 1986 by Dr. Bob Bennett, the project has supported the creation and publication of new works by leading composers of our time. Each commissioned work is premiered by young musicians during the MTAC State Convention while the audience follows along with the published score. This program provides students the unique opportunity to collaborate with the composer of the piece, and demonstrates the importance of playing music not only from the past but also music being created by today’s composers.
Friends of Today's Music Commissioned Composer
James Matheson
James Matheson has composed a work for a Piano Trio (Piano, Violin, and Cello).
Join us on July 2024 during the MTAC Convention for the World Premiere.
James Matheson is a New York-based composer. Among his commissions are works for the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, the Chicago and Albany Symphony Orchestras, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, the St. Lawrence and Borromeo String Quartets, and pianists Nadia Shpachenko and Bruce Levingston. His awards include the Charles Ives Living from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, fellowships from the Guggenheim and Civitella Ranieri Foundations, and a commission from the Fromm Foundation at Harvard. James is the former Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Composer Fellowship Program, and former Executive Director of MATA, which promotes the music of young composers through commissions and an annual festival of performances in New York City.
Friends of Today’s Music Commissioned Works are made possible through the generous support of the Aaron Copland Fund, the Beyster Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation, and individual donations. Anonymous, individual, and MTAC member contributions are accepted throughout the year. To donate, please visit the MTAC Foundation page.
|
Year |
Composer |
Title |
Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2023 |
Courtney Bryan |
Balm For Solo Piano |
Courtney Bryan |
|
2022 |
Reena Esmail |
Dhire-Dhire |
A Piece of Sky Music |
|
2020/2021 |
Augusta Read Thomas |
The Beads of Sunlight |
Augusta Read Thomas |
|
2019 |
Daniel Felsenfeld |
Hue & Cry |
BCP Music |
|
2018 |
Bruce Stark |
Three Dances |
Belle-Kane Publishing |
|
2017 |
Lei Liang |
Tree Rings |
Schott |
|
2016 |
Michael Daugherty |
The Old Man and the Sea |
Peermusic Classical/Boosey and Hawkes |
|
2015 |
Joan Tower |
Sixth Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman |
AMP/G. Schirmer Rental Library |
|
2014 |
Derek Bermel |
Four Homages for Piano |
Peermusic Classical |
|
2013 |
Katrina Wreede |
I-5 |
Vlazville Publishing |
|
2012 |
David Amram |
Cancion de Verano |
C.F. Peters Corporation |
|
2011 |
Robert Aldridge |
Three Waltzes |
C.F. Peters Corporation |
|
2010 |
David Rakowski |
Étude-Fantasies |
C.F. Peters Corporation |
|
2009 |
Chen Yi |
From Old Peking Folklore |
Theodore Presser |
|
2008 |
Paul Chihara |
Fantasy |
C.F. Peters Corporation |
|
2007 |
Gabriela Lena Frank |
Danza de los Saqsampillos |
G. Schirmer |
|
2006 |
William Bolcom |
*Nine New Bagatelles |
E. B. Marks Music, Hal Leonard |
|
2005 |
Libby Larsen |
PentaMetrics |
Oxford University Press |
|
2004 |
Steven Stucky |
*Meditation and Dance |
Theodore Presser |
|
2003 |
Judith Lang Zaimont |
In My Lunchbox |
Vivace Press |
|
2002 |
Melissa Hui |
*and blue sparks burn |
Available through MTAC |
|
2001 |
Robert Maggio |
Dreams from Childhood |
Theodore Presser |
|
2000 |
Bruce Adolphe |
Well, It’s Not exactly Beethoven |
PollyRhythm Productions |
|
1999 |
Martin Rokeach |
*can’t wait |
Roncorp Publications |
|
1998 |
Vivian Fung |
Scherzo |
Available through MTAC |
|
1997 |
Samuel Adler |
*Concerto No. 2 |
Theodore Presser |
|
1996 |
Samuel Zyman |
Two Motions in One Movement |
Theodore Presser |
|
1995 |
Seymour Bernstein |
Fantasy on a Theme by Francisco |
G. Schirmer |
|
1994 |
Stephen Hartke |
The Piano Dreams of Empire |
MMB Music, Inc. |
|
1993 |
Donald Waxman |
Arabesques and Ostinato |
Galaxy Music Corp. (ECS) |
|
1992 |
Emma Lou Diemer |
Three Piano Pieces |
Plymouth Music/Elkin Music |
|
1991 |
Gunther Schuller |
Music For Young People |
AMP/Schirmer |
|
1990 |
David Ott |
*Sinfonia for Cello and Piano |
Park Music Press |
|
1989 |
Samuel Adler |
*The Road to Terpsichore |
G. Schirmer |
|
1988 |
William Albright |
*The Machine Age |
C.F. Peters Corporation |
|
1987 |
Leslie Bassett |
*Configurations |
C.F. Peters Corporation |
|
1986 |
Richard Felciano |
Five Short Piano Pieces |
Available through MTAC |
For more information or questions, please contact us.
