WILLIAM BOLCOM Works for Orchestra

Overview

PHCD164

William Bolcom  ORCHESTRAL WORKS

1. Fifth Symphony
2. Violin Concerto in D
3. Fantasia Concertante

American Composers Orchestra

Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

Sergiu Luca, violin  

Janet Lyman Hill, viola    

Eugene Moye, cello 

All three of the works on this recording owe much to Classical-period music. I don’t however consider them Neo- Classical in the 1920s -30s sense (which was usually really Neo-Baroque); here I am using some of the formal benefits of Classical harmonic construction, notably the ability to steer a whole form in a new direction on the turn of a musical card – something not usually discernible in a totally chromatic context.

William Bolcom’s orchestral music reflects a uniquely American voice—lyrical, rhythmically charged, and open to a wide range of stylistic influences. PHCD 164 offers a compelling selection of his works for orchestra, revealing both his expressive range and his command of large‑scale form. These performances bring clarity, color, and energy to Bolcom’s writing, offering an engaging introduction to his orchestral output.

This release is essential for listeners exploring contemporary American orchestral music.