Detroit, USA - Alexander (Sasha) Mishnaevsky, principal violist of the Detroit Symphony, performed excerpts of my new work, "Juxtapositions: Suite for Sasha for Electric Viola and Chamber Orchestra," as part of a benefit concert by musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on March 6.
A former member of the New York City Symphony, where I am Musical Director, Sasha has been performing with a hybrid five-string, electric viola and has performed as soloist in numerous concerts with that instrument. In addition to the multitude of sounds this instrument can generate, the range of the the instrument can play as low as a traditional viola but also as high as a violin, making for some unique compositional possibilities.
Sasha asked me to compose a new work for viola and chamber orchestra. Several orchestras in the United States, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, expressed interest in performing the work upon its completion. Upon hearing some of the initial sketches for the new piece, Sasha said, “This is going to be fun!"