Ted Hearne premieres new work with Michael Tilson Thomas and the National Youth Symphony

On Thursday, July 19th, the National Youth Orchestra of the USA will premiere a new work by composer and USC Thornton faculty member Ted Hearne, under the baton of alumnus Michael Tilson Thomas (BM ’67, MM ’76), a Judge Widney Professor of Music at USC. Hearne’s Brass Tacks was commissioned by Carnegie Hall, where the concert will take place.

According to Hearne’s program notes, “Brass Tacks is a noisy dance, playful and ferocious. Inspired by trap music and the rhythmic energy and dance culture of the hip-hop of the South, the work combines pointed and ecstatic repetition with a noise-based approach to orchestral instrumental writing. The louds are bright and clangy bursts, and the softs are barely audible hisses and squeaks.”

The entire concert, which will also feature pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet performing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F Major, can be streamed live on WQXR.org beginning at 4:30PM PST.