American Counterpoints

Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly and Curtis Stewart

Release Date: March 1st, 2024

American Counterpoints is the first album released by Experiential Orchestra since their Grammy® Award in 2021, and is the co-creation of Grammy®-winning conductor James Blachly, and 4-time Grammy® Nominee Curtis Stewart. Featuring the world-premiere recording of Julia Perry's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, the album asserts the central importance of composers Julia Perry and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson in American classical music, juxtaposing early and late works of both composers and interweaving their compositions with original music by Curtis Stewart.

“American Counterpoints refers to the compositional technique of interweaving independent melodies into a powerful whole, and the strength, integrity, and imaginative music that results. The title underscores how these two masterful composers were required to create new musical paths for themselves because the mainstream of classical music did not have a place for them centerstage. Julia Amanda Perry flourished in Europe, with only limited success in the United States. Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson's boundless musical talents found most success in film and television, jazz and popular music.

Yet despite being marginalized and largely ignored for many decades, both composers are essential to American classical music, and our intention with this album is to advocate for their music to claim its rightful place within the core of our American repertoire.”

-James Blachly and Curtis Stewart

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Curtis J Stewart

Praised for “combining omnivory and brilliance” (The New York Times), four-time GRAMMY Award-nominated violinist and composer Curtis Stewart translates stories of American selfdetermination to the concert stage. As a solo violinist, composer, Artistic Director of the American Composers Orchestra, professor at The Juilliard School, and member of award-winning ensembles PUBLIQuartet and The Mighty Third Rail, he realizes a vision to find personal and powerful connections between styles, cultures and musics. Learn more at www.curtisjstewart.com.

James Blachly

James Blachly is a Grammy®-winning conductor dedicated to enriching the concert experience by connecting with audiences in memorable and meaningful ways. He serves as Music Director of the Experiential Orchestra and the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and is a versatile guest conductor in diverse repertoire with orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and WDR Funkhausorchester. James Blachly’s reputation as a powerful advocate for under-celebrated composers was established with his world premiere recording with EXO of English composer Dame Ethel Smyth’s 1930 masterpiece  The Prison, which won a 2021 Grammy Award and was widely acclaimed in the international press.
www.jamesblachly.com.

Experiential Orchestra

Experiential Orchestra was founded on collaborations and co-creations between a generous spirit of celebration, and each curated performance is an exploration of “a new experience of sound” for audience members. As quoted in Symphony Magazine, founder James Blachly says, “We try and keep it fresh for everybody. We are not trying to displace the standard concert experience, but invite people in so that when they next attend a traditional concert they hear things differently.”
www.experientialorchestra.com

American Counterpoints

by Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly and Curtis Stewart

3:35

Louisiana Blues Strut: A Cakewalk

By Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson - Curtis Stewart, violin
2:47

Prelude for Strings

By Julia Perry, Arr. Roger Zahab - James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
3:54

Sinfonietta No. 1, I. Sonata Allegro

By Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson - James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
5:18

Sinfonietta No. 1, II. Song Form-Largo

By Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson - James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
6:43

Sinfonietta No. 1, III. Rondo-Allegro furioso

By Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson - James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
8:00

Symphony in One Movement for Violas and String Basses

By Julia Perry - James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
4:21

Ye, Who Seek the Truth

By Julia Perry, Arr. Jannina Norpoth - James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
8:03

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, I. Slow; Moderate; Fast; Moderate

By Julia Perry - Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
2:32

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, II. Slow; Moderate; Fast

By Julia Perry - Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
2:52

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, III. Moderate

By Julia Perry - Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
1:22

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, IV. Fast

By Julia Perry - Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
3:43

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, V. Slow; Fast

By Julia Perry - Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
4:30

By Julia Perry - Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra

Curtis Stewart, James Blachly, Experiential Orchestra
4:49

We Who Seek

By Curtis Stewart - Curtis Stewart, violin