American Symphony Orchestra to Perform Live in Bryant Park & Herald Square in May, 2021

 

 

 

Modernism in Mexico at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

The American Symphony Orchestra will offer a free, nine-concert chamber music series to welcome spring at Manhattan’s Bryant Park and 34th St. Herald Square Plaza from May 3–19. The five different programs have been curated by ASO musicians, who will perform music ranging from 20th-century Mexican and all-American jazz composers to Afro-Cuban Batá drumming and classical works for horn quartet and woodwind trio. Featured artists include percussionist and composer Javier Diaz, saxophonist Roxy Coss, and oboist Toyin Spellman-Diaz. All concerts last for one hour and begin at 5:30 pm.

Music-lovers will find a limited number of first-come, first-served chairs set up near the Bryant Park Fountain Terrace in front of the stage and at Herald Square to enjoy an after-work respite with live music. Artists and audience members will be required to follow current public health guidelines including wearing masks and social distancing.

 

Modernism in Mexico at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

May 3, 2021 ~ 5:30pm ~  Modernism in Mexico at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace. Modernism in Mexico explores string quartets by some of Mexico’s most important 20th-century composers: Manuel Ponce, Silvestre Revueltas, and Carlos Chávez. Ponce was Mexico’s leading classical musician, and this performance of his well-known song Estrellita is a new arrangement for string quartet. Carlos Chávez was his student and heir apparent, touring extensively as a conductor and producing an impressive body of compositions. Chávez’s close colleague, violinist Silvestre Revueltas, was a notable conductor/composer whose work includes the score to the 1936 film Redes (The Wave), commissioned by the Mexican government.

Modernism in Mexico at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

May 4, 2021 ~ 5:30pm ~ Modernism in Mexico at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace. Modernism in Mexico explores string quartets by some of Mexico’s most important 20th century composers: Manuel Ponce, Silvestre Revueltas, and Carlos Chávez.

Strike Force at 34th Street Herald Square Plaza

May 5, 2021 ~ 5:30pm ~ Strike Force at 34th Street Herald Square Plaza. This percussion ensemble combines Afro-Cuban Batá drumming and poetry with the sounds of contemporary chamber percussion.

ASO Salutes NYC/USA (Jazz Ensemble) at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

May 10, 2021 ~ 5:30pm ~ ASO Salutes NYC/USA (Jazz Ensemble) at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace. A truly American genre, the ASO presents this jazz ensemble as a salute to U.S. healthcare workers who have made it possible for New Yorkers to experience live music once again.

ASO Salutes NYC/USA (Jazz Ensemble) at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace

May 11, 2021 ~ 5:30pm ~ ASO Salutes NYC/USA (Jazz Ensemble) at Bryant Park Fountain Terrace ~ A truly American genre, the ASO presents this jazz ensemble as a salute to U.S. healthcare workers who have made it possible for New Yorkers to experience live music once again.

Strike Force at 34th Street Herald Square Plaza

May 12, 2021 ~ 5:30pm ~ Strike Force at 34th Street Herald Square Plaza ~ This percussion ensemble combines Afro-Cuban Batá drumming and poetry with the sounds of contemporary chamber percussion.

This performance is part of a free chamber music series in partnership with Bryant Park with programs curated by ASO musicians. Music-lovers will find a limited number of first-come, first-served chairs set up near the Bryant Park Fountain Terrace in front of the stage to enjoy an after-work respite with live music. Artists, staff, and audience members will be required to follow current public health guidelines including wearing masks and social distancing.

For the full calendar 2020/2021 Season, visit American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) for more dates in May.

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance, and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from events, concessions, and corporate sponsors, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies. In addition to providing security, sanitation, and horticultural services, BPC offers restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of free events throughout the year. The Midtown Manhattan park is visited by more than 12 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world. BPC’s website, bryantpark.org, offers more detailed information and a schedule of upcoming events.

34th Street Partnership (34SP), founded in 1992, is a private not-for-profit company that oversees a 31-block district in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The Partnership’s programs and services are funded by assessments on property within its boundaries and income from concessions and events. 34SP receives no tax dollars, nor does it solicit funds from philanthropic donors. The Partnership provides an array of services including free public events, security and sanitation, and streetscape enhancements, all aimed at improving the quality of life for landlords, tenants, workers, shoppers, and tourists in one of the nation’s busiest urban corridors. Learn more about 34SP at 34thstreet.org.