Ilya Gringolts and Ilan Volkov Launch New Commissioning Foundation

Starting in 2021, the foundation expects to commission around 20 new works a year. These pieces will be from a wide range of composers who will help to diversify the classical music scene.

"Without composers we wouldn’t have any music – they are the creators," Ilya Gringolts said. "We want people to understand what the composers are doing and thinking, and how fascinating it is. We hope to bring them closer to audiences. Any performer can come to us and say, ‘I’m dying to play something new and I have this composer in mind,’ or ‘I don’t know much about new music, but I want to find out.’ We will oversee the whole process, from finding and selecting the right composer, to bringing the partners together, to commissioning the composer, to finding dates for the premiere and concerts. That is our ultimate goal."

"With the foundation I look forward to starting a long and positive process of working with composers – helping them develop their careers, having their music heard, recorded and better known," Ilan Volkov said. "It’s about recognizing talent but also making sure that these composers are heard by people who need to hear them."