Robert Sirota Named Composer-In-Residence For Concerts On The Slope 2014-2015 Season

Robert Sirota has been named Composer-in-Residence of the Concerts on the Slope series for the 2014-2015 season.

Over the past four decades, Robert Sirota has developed a distinctive voice across a range of work, including symphonic, choral, stage, and chamber music. The New York Times has described his style as, “fashioned with the clean, angular melodies, tart harmonies, lively syncopations and punchy accents of American Neo-Classicism,” and his chamber works have been performed by the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society, Sequitur, Chameleon Arts Ensemble, and many more.

“His music alone speaks to the reason why I approached him about becoming our Composer in Residence this season, but in addition to that, we share a vision of what the future of Concerts on the Slope can bring to classical music and the Park Slope community,” says Artistic Director and cellist Benjamin Larsen. “I consider myself, and the series, incredibly fortunate that he has embraced the position, and I am excited to work closely with him on this journey.”

The season launches on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 8pm with a concert that features the world premiere of Sirota’s Canticle/Cantilena/Canzona for solo guitar performed by Jordan Dodson, on a program that also includes Beethoven’s String Trio in D Major, Gershwin’s Lullaby for String Quartet, and Boccherini’s Fandango for guitar and string quartet.

The season continues after that with a total of 14 concerts through July 2015 — which will include eight of Sirota’s works — performed by talented, up-and-coming New York musicians and ensembles, including the Elmyr Quartet, Sandbox Percussion, ETHEL violinist Tema Watstein, and many more, as well as ensembles from out of town such as Orange County’s Trio Céleste and Margaret Brouwer’s Cleveland-based Blue Streak Ensemble. See the full calendar here.

“I am very pleased and honored to be named this season’s Composer-in-Residence of Concerts on the Slope, and to have the opportunity to work with truly superb young musicians in the preparation and performance of eight different works of mine as well as those by other outstanding contemporary composers,” says Sirota.

Concerts on the Slope performances take place at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 139 St Johns Place, are open to the public — no tickets are required, and a free will donation is suggested.

Photo credit Brian Hatton