NEW MUSIC TUESDAY | Introducing ... the Jennifer Higdon Viola Concerto, 2017 [NEW]

Introducing Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning American composer Jennifer Higdon's recently-premiered Viola Concerto

Introducing Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning American composer Jennifer Higdon's recently-premiered Viola Concerto.

The 22 minute, three movement work was jointly commissioned by the Library of Congress, the Nashville Symphony, the Curtis Institute of Music and the Aspen Music Festival.

The premiere performance was given in 2015 with viola soloist Roberto Diaz, conductor Robert Spano and the Curtis Chamber Orchestra.

NAXOS have this month released the recording premiere - featuring soloist Robert Diaz, conductor Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony.

"I noticed that pieces for the viola were all very dark and kind of heavy, so I decided to make a piece that is more celebratory - and has a real swing to it," the composer has said.

JENNIFER HIGDON | VIOLA CONCERTO | 1ST MVT | ROBERTO DIAZ | GIANCARLO GUERRERO & NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | 2017

JENNIFER HIGDON | VIOLA CONCERTO | 2ND MVT | ROBERTO DIAZ | GIANCARLO GUERRERO & NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | 2017

JENNIFER HIGDON | VIOLA CONCERTO | 3RD MVT | ROBERTO DIAZ | GIANCARLO GUERRERO & NASHVILLE SYMPHONY | 2017