The Louisville Symphony Orchestra
This is an extraordinary story, and a project which aligns perfectly with our mission:
In 1949, Louisville Orchestra's then Maestro, Robert Whitney, and Charles Farnsley, Mayor of Louisville (1948-1953), conceived an adventurous plan to make the commissioning, performance, and recording of new works for orchestra a centerpiece of the Louisville Symphony Orchestra’s global mission.
Critical acclaim and a resulting invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall followed on the launch of a newly commissioned work by William Schuman. Schuman's dance concerto, Judith, was premiered by international dance superstar Martha Graham on January 4, 1950. The Louisville Orchestra, as a result, was the first orchestra to create its own record label – First Edition Records; and with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, Louisville annually commissioned up to 52 new compositions from established and student composers worldwide. Ultimately they created nearly 150 vinyl recordings (LPs) of more than 450 works by living 20th Century composers. Those recordings were released worldwide by subscription to more than 48 countries. At present, the current status of those recordings is unfortunately unknown.
However, in coordination with The Louisville Symphony, Ars Nova Press is embarking upon an ambitious project to establish a library of the scores of a number of these commissioned works. Our hope is to shine a spotlight on this significant chapter in the history of twentieth century art music, to establish an electronic archive of the series, and to make those works readily available for performance.
If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact us directly, or make a donation.
In 1949, Louisville Orchestra's then Maestro, Robert Whitney, and Charles Farnsley, Mayor of Louisville (1948-1953), conceived an adventurous plan to make the commissioning, performance, and recording of new works for orchestra a centerpiece of the Louisville Symphony Orchestra’s global mission.
Critical acclaim and a resulting invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall followed on the launch of a newly commissioned work by William Schuman. Schuman's dance concerto, Judith, was premiered by international dance superstar Martha Graham on January 4, 1950. The Louisville Orchestra, as a result, was the first orchestra to create its own record label – First Edition Records; and with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, Louisville annually commissioned up to 52 new compositions from established and student composers worldwide. Ultimately they created nearly 150 vinyl recordings (LPs) of more than 450 works by living 20th Century composers. Those recordings were released worldwide by subscription to more than 48 countries. At present, the current status of those recordings is unfortunately unknown.
However, in coordination with The Louisville Symphony, Ars Nova Press is embarking upon an ambitious project to establish a library of the scores of a number of these commissioned works. Our hope is to shine a spotlight on this significant chapter in the history of twentieth century art music, to establish an electronic archive of the series, and to make those works readily available for performance.
If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact us directly, or make a donation.
THE NATIONAL CONSERVATORY OF MEXICO
Ars Nova has recently entered into an agreement to publish and make digitally available to the general public works by composers of historical note. These works are from piano solos to full orchestral scores by composers such as Aniceto Ortega, Melesio Morales, Ernesto Elorduy and Ricardo Castro.
This is an incredible opportunity for preservation of these extraordinary works of art. We encourage you to consider this project with a tax deductible donation to the project.
This is an incredible opportunity for preservation of these extraordinary works of art. We encourage you to consider this project with a tax deductible donation to the project.