The GRAMMY Award-winning, New York-based Experiential Orchestra (EXO) led by Music Director James Blachly brings one of its signature, immersive performances to the Library of Congress to mark a trilogy of milestones – the Library’s 100^th Anniversary, and two significant birth anniversaries for transformative composers Arnold Schoenberg (his 150^th) and Julia Perry (her 100^th). EXO's performances have been described as  “strikingly persuasive” by the San Francisco Chronicle and “immaculate” by Musical America, and bring listeners close to the music through imaginative and interactive experiences.

EXO gives the D.C. premiere of African-American composer Julia Perry’s Concerto for Violin with four-time GRAMMY nominee Curtis Stewart, who recently made the first commercial recording of this landmark 1965 work with EXO as part of the recently released album, American Counterpoints. Stewart will perform on legendary violinist Fritz Kreisler’s Guarneri instrument from 1730, part of the Library of Congress’s collection. Violinist and author Ling Ling Huang (Natural Beauty, Dutton 2023) reimagines Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night) from 1899, with new narration crafted from confessions submitted online anonymously in response to the prompt, “What have you never told anyone?” The participatory experience, open to everyone including the audience attending, explores the concept of the poem by Richard Dehmel that Schoenberg set, about a woman’s confession of a secret to her lover. Other works from the Library’s collections will be highlighted, including Irving Fine’s lush Serious Song: A Lament for String Orchestra and Alan Hovhaness’ touching tribute, In Memory of an Artist. 

Presented through the generosity of the Verna and Irving Fine Endowment in the Library of Congress.

With thanks to the EXO Creative Team and Pauline Kim Harris, Henry Wang, Ling Ling Huang, and Lady Jess for concept development.

Preconcert Conversation with the Artists
6:30pm, Whittall Pavilion
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Program

JULIA PERRY
Prelude for Strings (1946) (arr. Zahab)

ALAN HOVHANESS
In Memory of an Artist, op. 163 (1958, rev. 1968)

IRVING FINE
Serious Song: A Lament for String Orchestra (1955) 

JULIA PERRY
Concert for Violin and Orchestra (1963-65, rev. 1977)
Curtis Stewart, violin soloist

INTERMISSION

ARNOLD SCHOENBERG
Verklärte Nacht (1899)
Ling Ling Huang, narrator