Tag Archives: Premiere

Vers la flamme – Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and Nikki Chooi, Led by Judith Yan, Premiere Habibi’s Violin Concerto, Âtash

Judith Yan, conductor
Nikki Chooi, violin

A concert designed specifically to connect directly with its audience, and through connection, move us forward.

Podium Partner Judith Yan curates a unique concert experience as we move towards the flame. The evening features 5 brand new works by female composers (including Adriana Isabel Figueroa Manas and Kendra Harder) in a commissioning project entitled A Better World, supported by a generous donation from Carol Edwards. These works are interspersed throughout an evening of music where musical fire creates a new and better world.

Violinist Nikki Chooi returns to the SSO after his 2015 debut in a brand new work co-commissioned by the SSO. Iman Habibi’s Atash was created in response to the devastating fires of 2023, and Habibi’s goal is to show our changing relationship with this powerful natural force, where the orchestra represents nature, and the soloist reacts to it as humans have done throughout history.

Our earth, our society, each of us, finding a better world. Creating something from the ashes as we move towards the flame.

If you’re thinking about attending multiple shows, bundle your tickets and save!

Sorcerer’s Spell – Buffalo Philharmonic, and Nikki Chooi, Led by JoAnn Falletta, Premiere Iman Habibi’s Violin Concerto, Âtash – April 25

Sorcerer’s Spell

  • Saturday, April 24, 2027 @ 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, April 25, 2027 @ 2:30 pm

JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Nikki Chooi, violin
Hailey Clark, soprano
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

DUKAS  The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
IMAN HABIBI  Violin Concerto (World Premiere)
RAVEL  Mother Goose Suite
POULENC  Gloria

Enter a world where music becomes story. JoAnn Falletta leads Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, where orchestral color does the storytelling and the momentum never lets go. Violinist Nikki Chooi performs the world premiere of a Violin Concerto written for him by his friend, Iman Habibi, bringing a contemporary voice into the heart of the program, followed by the delicate imagination of Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. The evening culminates in Poulenc’s Gloria, with soprano Hailey Clark, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, and the full orchestra in music that is luminous, bold, and soaring. It is a concert of wonder, transformation, and uplift.

Sorcerer’s Spell – Buffalo Philharmonic, and Nikki Chooi, Led by JoAnn Falletta, Premiere Iman Habibi’s Violin Concerto, Âtash – April 24

Sorcerer’s Spell

  • Saturday, April 24, 2027 @ 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, April 25, 2027 @ 2:30 pm

JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Nikki Chooi, violin
Hailey Clark, soprano
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

DUKAS  The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
IMAN HABIBI  Violin Concerto (World Premiere)
RAVEL  Mother Goose Suite
POULENC  Gloria

Enter a world where music becomes story. JoAnn Falletta leads Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, where orchestral color does the storytelling and the momentum never lets go. Violinist Nikki Chooi performs the world premiere of a Violin Concerto written for him by his friend, Iman Habibi, bringing a contemporary voice into the heart of the program, followed by the delicate imagination of Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. The evening culminates in Poulenc’s Gloria, with soprano Hailey Clark, the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, and the full orchestra in music that is luminous, bold, and soaring. It is a concert of wonder, transformation, and uplift.

Eras – Third Angle New Music and Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir Premiere a Newly-Commissioned Work Co-composed by Iman Habibi, Kirsten Volness and Michael-Thomas Foumai

Eras

Friday, May 15 2026 | 7:30PM
World Forestry Center
4033 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221

Friday, May 22, 2026 | 7:00PM
PRAx – Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts
470 SW 15th St, Corvallis, OR 97331

Join us at the intersection of past, present, and future – for us and our planet – featuring a world premiere wildfire oratorio created in partnership with Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir and World Forestry Center.

The creative process of Eras  began in April 2025 when Third Angle and the students of the ORS Youth Choir visited World Forestry Center’s curation of Following Fire, an exhibit by photographer David Paul Bayles and ecologist Frederick J. Swanson. Guided by Bayles and Swanson, the students unpacked the stark images of charred forests, and the vibrant signs of regrowth. Then, guided by composer Kirsten Volness, the students sprawled out on the glossy exhibit floor and wrote poetry reflecting on wildfire. This poetry served as the source text for composers Iman Habibi, Muchael-Thomas Foumai and Kirsten Volness who created a new oratorio for youth choir and small ensemble which serves as the centerpiece of the program.

Vancouver Chamber Choir and Pianist Jane Coop Premiere a Newly Commissioned Work

Vancouver Chamber Choir, led by Kari Turunen, and pianist Jane Coop premiere a newly commissioned work from Iman Habibi on April 2, 2023 at 2:30 pm at the Orpheum Theater in Vancouver.

“We are thrilled to return to the Orpheum for SPRINGTIME with internationally acclaimed pianist Jane Coop. In the spirit of rejuvenation, the program features three new works: π by Swedish composer Jacob Mühlrad, commissioned by the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Blake’s “Seasons” by Colin Eatock, and a work by Iman Habibi which was jointly commissioned by Jane Coop and the choir. Also featured on the program is music by Lili Boulanger, Ramona Luengen, Alex Freeman and Joseph Haydn. Join us as we celebrate the return of blossoms, sunlight and the many joys of Vancouver in SPRINGTIME.”

Per Caliginem, Ardeo, and Ey Saba at Kingston Road Village Concert Series Reopening Celebration

Mezzo soprano Julia Dawson, pianist Deborah Grimmett, and violinist Mark Fewer will perform Iman Habibi’s songs, per caliginem, ardeo, and Ey Saba. Originally written for string quartet and voice, per caliginem and ardeo were commissioned for Julia Dawson by Exsultate Project, with the generous support of  Hessisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst and Bob and Mary Gore. Ey Saba was written for Julia Dawson and Guillaume Faraut, and is being performed live for the first time.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reopening-celebration-tickets-168014292271

About this event

Re-Opening Weekend at Kingston Road United Church! Celebrate with us on Saturday, September 25 at 4:30 pm ET for an hour-long concert. We welcome back superstar violinist Mark Fewer and the extraordinary mezzo soprano, Julia Dawson joined by Jeanie Chung – piano, Deborah Grimmett – piano and Lucas Harris – theorbo. The program will include a Beethoven violin sonata, Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate and the Canadian premiere of a new work by Iman Habibi.

This free event is to thank our community for its continued support during these very challenging times. Covid protocols will be in place and social distancing and mask protocols will be observed. You will need to provide your contact information and proof of vaccination at the door.

While this concert is free to the community, there will be an opportunity to make a donation to KRU’s Raise Our Roof Campaign. Among the many challenges facing KRU as we reopen is the immediate need to replace the entire church roof, a huge and expensive undertaking. Our beautiful building is a valued hub of community activity and we rely on local support to enable us to continue to serve our neighborhood. If you would like to make a contribution E-transfers can be made to [email protected]

Date and time

Sat, September 25, 2021
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM EDT
Add to calendar

Location

Kingston Road United Church
975 Kingston Road
Toronto, ON M4E 1T1

Premiere of a New Commission with Play on Philly

Play on Philly will premiere a newly commissioned work by Iman Habibi. The four-movement suite alternates in instrumentation between strings, and winds/brass/percussion, and is written for intermediate-advanced students at Play on Philly.

The piece will receive its virtual premiere on December 18th, 2020 at 5pm ET.

Premiere of Relics for Viola and Cello in Gill, MA

Violist Melissa Reardon and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan will premiere Relics, a piece for Viola and Cello dedicated to them, and written under the aegis of Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music. Michi Wiancko will also be performing on violin. There will also be premieres by composers Samuel Winnie, Samantha Boshnack, Dustin Carlson, Kai Ono, and Tanner Porter.

2:00 pm: Grounds open

2:30 pm: Doors open

3:00 pm: INDOOR CONCERT + reception

Music in Color: Orchestra of St. Luke’s Premieres a Commissioned Work – Manhattan

At a concert presented by Carnegie Hall, Orchestra of St. Luke‘s premieres Uproot, a new work by Iman Habibi. The piece is commissioned in conjunction with Gabriela Lena Frank Academy of Music. Curated by Gabriela Lena Frank, the concert features music by composers of color. In 2018, the Music in Color series presented the life and music of Florence Price, the first African-American female composer to have her work performed by a major American orchestra.

Other works on the program include:
GABRIELA LENA FRANK Selections from String Quartets Leyendas, Quijotadas, and Milagros
CHOU WEN-CHUNG Leggierezza from String Quartet No. 1, “Clouds”

There will be 5 related concerts presented in the 5 boroughs of New York City, each featuring a similarly commissioned work:

QUEENS
Flushing Town Hall, Gallery
137-35 Northern Boulevard, Queens, NY 11354
Saturday, March 23, 2019 | 2 PM

BROOKLYN
RestorationART at the Billie Holiday Theatre
1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Sunday, March 24, 2019 | 2 PM

BRONX
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, Black Box Theatre
450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
Thursday, March 28, 2019 | 7 PM

STATEN ISLAND
Snug Harbor
1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
Sunday, March 31, 2019 | 2 PM

MANHATTAN
Harlem School of the Arts, Gallery
645 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10030
Thursday, April 4, 2019 | 6 PM