Photo by Martin B. Cherry.

Riley’s Ryddle

On May 3, two innovators joined forces when electric violinist Tracy Silverman debuted a new concerto by pioneering composer Terry Riley, whose music embraces everything from minimalism to Indian ragas to American ragtime. Commissioned by the Nashville Symphony, the new concerto written for Silverman as soloist, is entitled The Palmian Chord Ryddle. The work’s title hints that the music could be inspired by an ancient musical mode. “The riddle has to do with the way the chord resolves itself over the course of the concerto’s 37-minute duration,” explains soloist Silverman, who describes the piece as expansive, virtuosic and improvisational in spirit.

Following the world premiere in Nashville, the Nashville Symphony will bring the piece to New York’s Carnegie Hall during the Spring for Music Festival on May 12 and WQXR will broadcast that concert live on Classical 91One (91.1. FM), starting at 6:30 p.m. on May 12 in Nashville.

For more information Tracy Silverman’s preparation and the premiere of this new work visit his website.

For more information about Terry Riley, visit our website.

Tickets for the Carnegie Hall concert can be purchased here.

Please click here for more News