Ray Chen Plays Barber

Teddy Abrams, conductor
Ray Chen, violin • Valerie Coleman, guest resident composer • Stachelle Bussey, narrator

Baldwin Giang: intimacies, interruptions
Brittany Green: Against/Sharp
Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14
Oswald Huỳnh: I Ask My Mother to Sing
Valerie Coleman: Concerto for Orchestra

Violinist Ray Chen joins Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra to render the sublime beauty and thrilling virtuosity of a true American classic: Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto. Louisville native Valerie Coleman explores hope and inspiration through the lens of the Great Migration and Black Renaissance that reshaped American culture. The diverse threads of our national tapestry converge here, where the new class of the Louisville Orchestra Creator Corps has taken up residency to create music and community. Be with us as we lay that foundation together!

Program

Brittany Green, Oswald Huynh, Baldwin Giang – LOCC Introductory Works

Introducing the debut performance of the 2024-2025 Louisville Orchestra Creators Corps featuring Brittany Green, Oswald Huỳnh, and Baldwin Giang. Be among the first to witness their evocative compositions as they take the stage to captivate your senses with their music, carefully crafted to intrigue and inspire.

Samuel Barber – Violin Concerto, Op. 14 (1939)

World-renowned violinist Ray Chen takes center stage, bringing to life Samuel Barber’s exquisite Violin Concerto. Dive into the soul-stirring melodies and passionate virtuosity of this timeless masterpiece.

Valerie Coleman – Concerto for Orchestra

Delve into the significance of this contemporary piece, a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music. Valerie Coleman herself is in residency, adding a unique dimension to this extraordinary event.

The co-commission of Valerie Coleman’s Concerto for Orchestra is part of New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program, which fosters collaboration and collective action between US orchestras and composers toward racial and gender equity in classical music. Amplifying Voices is powered by the Sphinx Venture Fund, with additional support from ASCAP, the Sorel Organization, the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, and The Wise Music Charitable Foundation. For more information, visit Amplifying Voices – New Music USA.

Don’t miss this day of music and discovery, where tradition meets innovation, and where the Louisville Orchestra continues to redefine the symphonic experience.

Special thanks to our series sponsor, Baird

With significant support from 90.5 WUOL Classical Louisville and Theresa Bondurant
Complimentary coffee provided by Heine Bros.