The world premiere recording of Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Harp, performed by Yolanda Kondonassis and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, is featured on the orchestra’s new album American Rapture, released May 17. Under conductor Ward Stare, the recording also includes Barber’s Symphony No. 1 and Rapture by Patrick Harlin. The pieces on the recording were selected to highlight three generations of American composition. Higdon’s concerto, 10 years in the making, was a consortium commission by orchestras in Rochester, Harrisburg, Baton Rouge, Fargo–Moorhead, Lansing, and Oklahoma City. Kondonassis premiered the work with the RPO on May 10, 2018 and performed the piece with all six orchestras during the 2018–2019 season. She will perform it next in January 2020 with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.
American Performance Today will broadcast the concerto on May 22nd, which will include an interview with Kondonassis and show host Fred Child. For more information about the piece, check out our podcast episode 39 that features Kondonassis and dissects her collaboration with Higdon. To purchase the album, click here.
