AUDIO

The Struggle to Forgive (10th Anniversary Season)

In this world premiere of Gary S. Fagin's new cantata for soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone and orchestra, the KCO gave voice, hauntingly, to those most affected by the gun epidemic: victims of gun violence and their families. This timely piece has been called “beautiful;” “stunning;” “an important work." Schimmel Center for the Arts; Pace University, May 4, 2018.

Renaissance & Renewal (10th Anniversary Season)

Preet Bharara, former U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of New York, reads the words of Abraham Lincoln as the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra performs "Lincoln Portrait" by Aaron Copland. Presented by Arts Brookfield, the Renaissance & Renewal concert marked the start of the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra's tenth anniversary season and featured violin soloist Elizabeth Pitcairn playing "The Lark Ascending" by Ralph Vaughan Williams and "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso" by Camille Saint-Saëns. Brookfield Place New York Winter Garden, February 10, 2018.

And Bold To Fall Withal

World premiere of Gary S. Fagin’s composition “And Bold To Fall Withal (Henry Hudson In The New World),” featuring Broadway star Jason Danieley singing the story of Henry Hudson’s arrival in New York Harbor 400 years ago. Brookfield Place New York, January 16, 2010.

VIDEO

MUSIC OF OUR SPHERE CONCERT – 2023

Two excerpts from the world premiere performance of Gary S. Fagin’s “In Every Grain of Sand,” in celebration of Earth Day, inspired by the works of Rachel Carson. Rosena Hill Jackson, mezzo-soprano; Nathaniel Stampley, baritone. The Winter Garden, Brookfield Place, April 22, 2023.

JUNETEENTH CONCERT - 2022

In this excerpt from “Good Trouble,” mezzo-soprano Rosena Hill Jackson sings the words of the great Barbara Jordan, the dynamic and inspiring Congresswoman from Texas who played an influential role on the national political scene in the 1970s and 1980s.

This piece was performed at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, June 19, 2022.

9/11 Tribute Concert - 2021

The KCO presented the 9/11 Tribute Concert on September 11, 2021 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. The concert program included Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings,” the world premiere of Gary S. Fagin’s “9/11 In Memoriam,” Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington’s “Come Sunday” featuring the KCO’s Orlando Wells on violin, and "The Story of Our Town," from Our Town by Aaron Copland, as well as readings by Lower Manhattan residents.

JUMPING MOUSE - 2019

Experience the world premiere of KCO Music Director Gary S. Fagin’s delightful one-act opera for children. Based on a Native American myth, the allegory follows the courageous journey of Jumping Mouse as she interacts with other animals and perseveres through challenges in pursuit of her dreams. Wonderfully engaging family entertainment, with four singers and an ensemble of Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra musicians, Jumping Mouse is a beautiful musical parable of inspiration, altruism and transformation.

Video credit: Matthew Landfield

Zaubernacht (10th Anniversary Season)

Zaubernacht, composed by Kurt Weill in 1922, tells the tale of a magical night. The orchestral score was lost when Weill immigrated to the US, and was rediscovered in a locked file cabinet just a few years ago. With choreography and characters by Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects, the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra brought Zaubernacht to life for the first time in New York City since the American premiere in 1925. Museum of Jewish Heritage–A Living Memorial to the Holocaust; March 14, 15 and 18, 2018.

STRAVINSKY’S The Soldier's TalE

Excerpt from Stravinsky's “The Soldier's Tale” (L'histoire du soldat) performed by the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra with choreography by Jody Oberfelder Dance Projects. Schimmel Center, Pace University; June 9-11, 2011.

Robert Moses Astride New York

World premiere of a music theater work by Gary S. Fagin about New York City's master builder and power broker, Robert Moses, featuring tenor Rinde Eckert as Robert Moses. Brookfield Place New York Winter Garden; January 15, 2011