Hailed as the hottest classical band in New York, FIREWORKS redefines the chamber music experience for a new generation of listeners. Founded with the goal of creating a single, small ensemble capable of representing the full scope of todays musical diversity, Fireworks draws on classical, rock, jazz, and world music traditions to create innovative, eclectic programs which combine masterpieces from an extraordinary range of styles into unified musical experiences. Fireworks embraces eclecticism not for its own sake but in order to spotlight works it believes deserve wider recognition as vital, living art, regardless of style. Fireworks dynamic performing style, relaxed concert atmosphere, and creative programming continue to draw new audiences and critical praise wherever the ensemble performs.
In addition to its regular concert series at Symphony Space in New York City, Fireworks performs at major venues and festivals throughout the United States each season. Highlights of the ensemble's 2006-07 Season include Cartoon, celebrating music and video created for and inspired by shorts from the golden age of Warner Bros. animation at the Lied Center of Kansas, a portrait of the maverick 20th-century master, Frank Zappa, including both the composers challenging instrumental rock music and rarely-heard works for traditional classical ensembles at the Miller Theater, and the second installment of its Dance Music project, featuring dance music from around the world at The Wolfeboro Friends of Music Festival. Recent engagements include The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Minnesota State University, and The Deer Valley Music Festival. In 2005, Fireworks was invited to participate in the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Young Performers' Career Advancement program, which culminated in a showcase performance at Carnegie Hall.
Recent Fireworks programs include Dance Mix, party music from five continents and over 700 years, The Rite of Spring, a rock-infused interpretation of Stravinskys classic, and Pyrotechnics, highlighting the vibrancy of contemporary composers from John Adams to John Zorn. A strong voice for living composers, Fireworks has premiered over 100 compositions and arrangements, including new works by Glenn Branca, Robert Carl, and Nick Didkovsky.
Intensely passionate about its work with students, Fireworks devotes a large portion of its time each season to outreach and residency activities. At the 2005 Oregon Bach Festival, the ensemble worked with fifty emerging composers and premiered fifteen new pieces. Other residencies include Williams College, The Hartt School, The Hotchkiss School (Lakeville, CT), and The KLHT School (Stamford, CT). This season the ensemble will conduct workshops and residencies at schools in Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire.
Fireworks' recordings have enjoyed critical praise and radio play worldwide. Their acclaimed, rock-inspired recording of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring (2003) was recently broadcast on Soundcheck on WNYC in New York, La Otra Musica in Spain and Radio Rock in Italy. The groups first recording, First Tracks (2002) was recently featured on John Schaefer's New Sounds on WNYC. Dance Mix, the groups highly-anticipated third CD, is now available.
