PROJECTS
High Speed Reed
Web Premiere Series
Akropolis created their web premiere series in 2013 as a platorm for showcasing new music for reed quintet online, all around the world.
Each piece performed in this series receives an online premiere and is attended by a "live" online audience comprised of Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube followers.
The collection currently includes 10+ works. Watch them online here!
Akropolis Collection
The Debut Album, High Speed Reed
This album, released January 2012, was the first album of its kind consisting of all original works for reed quintet.
The album is the product of Akropolis' collaborations with composers stretching from the United States to Isreal Canada, and the Netherlands.
Characterized by its energy and technical mastery, High Speed Reed was a landmark achievement for Akropolis.
Akropolis Collection was formed in 2012 and serves as one of Akropolis' main outlets for promoting the performance of contemporary music. With each commissioning project, Akropolis continues to add new works for reed quintet to this online catalog. Currently the collection bosts compositions from composers around the world as well as several arrangements for reed quintet. This is an ongoing project for Akropolis.
Announcing our 3rd album, The Space Between Us
News
+ Review from San Francisco Chronicle: "Pure gold, shot through with tenderness and grace."
+ Review from Fanfare Magazine: "The probing musicality (is a) wonder to hear."
+ Featured on WNYC "New Sounds" Click here to listen.
+ Broadcast on WCNY "Fresh Ink" on July 23rd. Listen here!
+ Review from Jazz Weekly: "A wide waterfront of sounds and moods."
+ Review from Art and Culture Maven: "I was entertained, cajoled, intrigued, and transported"
+ Review from Kathodik Italy: "Original and engaging."
+ Avant Music News pick of the week: Check it out.
PROJECTS
Greg composed the title track for our third album, The Space Between Us. His works have also been performed by some of our favorite groups like PRISM Quartet and The Society for New Music. He is Professor of Composition at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam.
California-based composer, bassoonist, author, and teacher, Steinmetz has been recorded on the Helicon, Crystal, Albany, and Mark Masters labels. His new work for reed quintet, Sorrow and Celebration, includes audience participation and will be featured on our third album, The Space Between Us.
SUNY Fredonia head of composition, Deemer writes for New Music Box, Sequenza 21, and the New York Times. His works have been performed by saxophonist Timothy McAllister and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His new work for reed quintet is entitled Gallimaufry and will be featured on our third album, The Space Between Us.
Dave is Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition at Boise State University. His music has been called "simply beautiful", "striking", and "brilliantly crafted". His new reed quintet for our project The Space Between Us is entitled, Refraction, and will be featured on our third studio album.
Akropolis commissioned Mr. Peres to compose "Fun Fun Fun Fun", an 11-minute, 3 movement work which utilizes minimalist and popular musical elements, including techno. The work is one of the highlights of our debut album, High Speed Reed. Click the link to find out more about Asaf!
Akropolis commissioned Ms. Namir to compose "Delevarnu" for our Unraveled project. "Delevarnu" is the most comprehensive work on the Unraveled album and juxtaposes her classical training with her alternative career as an Israeli singer/songwriter. Learn more about Florie by clicking the link below!
John's work has been called "a mighty ear-stunner ... exhilarating to experience." We chose his 2013 reed quintet, Variations in the Reeds, as winner of the 2013 Calefax Composers Competition. We recorded the work as part of our YouTube Web Premiere Series. Check it out at the link below!
Roger Zare's first reed quintet composition, Variations on Reverse Entropy, is featured on our Unraveled album. We love Roger's music, and he has been praised by the New York Times for his "enviable grasp of orchestration", which even for just 5 reed instruments is easy to hear.
Steve Reich calls Paul Dooley's music "impressive and beautiful", and we are pleased to have his new work, "Warp and Weft" on our second album, "Unraveled." Click the link to find out more about Paul's amazing music.
Akropolis commissioned Mr. Schumann to compose "High Speed Reed", which is now the title track from out debut album! Garrett is also an active blogger and writer for Sequenza21 and more. Find out more about Garrett by clicking below.
Akropolis commissioned Mr. Heetderks to compose "Pitchblende", but after the success of movements 1 and 2, Mr. Heetderks went on to add a 3rd and 4th movement to complete a 14-minute work. David is faculty member at the Oberlin Conservatory where he is Assistant Professor of Music Theory.
A composer of French-Swiss nationality, Jean-Christophe Rosaz composed his first reed quintet for Akropolis titled, "Sound-Traveler-Angels-Sound", a haunting Sonata.
Jason Turbin is a Los Angeles-based composer who, after graduating from the Los Angeles Recording Workshop in the North Hollywood Arts District, has written scores for several large independent films in Hollywood. He is also a member of the Traction Avenue Chamber Orchestra and the progressive-rock band, Cannon.
Akropolis commissioned Dutch composer Christiaan De Jong to compose a Jazz Sonata as part of our "Project Sonata" commissioning adventure. The work is in progress and highly anticipated.
Akropolis commissioned Mr. Donner to compose "Street Beet" a hip, blues inspired, sonata form composition for "Project Sonata". His works have been performed around the country and he has received numerous prizes. Check him out below!
Music by composer and conductor Elliott Bark has been performed numerous places, including Carnegie Hall. One composition was reviewed by the New York Times as "...abrasive...outbursts...yearning...rapturous serge." "Autumn in New York" graces our second disc, Unraveled.
Akropolis commissioned Mr. Marquez to compose "A Frayed, Jute Whipping Knot" for our Unraveled Project. The work is the first used in our Web Premiere Series on YouTube. Click the link below for more on Josh's music!
When he was still a student at the Oberlin Conservatory, Eli collaborated with Akropolis and the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings to create a mixed media work called "Forget", pairing reed quintet with pre-recorded tape of Alzheimer's and Dementia patients, a work which had strong personal meaning for the composer.
Akropolis commissioned Mr. Tongur to compose "Birdus Petroleum", a dynamic work which has already been purchased from our sheet music store. Learn more about Mr. Tongur's long list of impressive works and his many years as a respected professor and conductor by clicking the link below.