Contemporary

"The definition of 'Canadian music' is something that many composers, including myself, continue to struggle with. I am reminded that Canada is of the most culturally and geographically expansive countries on the planet; owing to this, Canadian music must mean many different things to many different people."

The music on 'Toward Light' speaks to listeners who appreciate something bracing and new from a format – string quintet – that dates back centuries.

"I ultimately decided that my role as a composer is not necessarily to provide a sonic documentary, but to explore and convey what must have been a great internal struggle."

The Greek lyra player and pianist offer six arrangements based on the "Romanian Folk Dances" of Béla Bartók, along with four dreamy original compositions.

The digitally manipulated vocals and piano have an effect both compelling and distancing; they suggest fire and blood, not machinery...

"This is one of the reasons I’m so drawn to early music – it provides the temporal distance necessary to transform what we inherit into something new."

Nicholas Tolle is the featured performer in new music for the cimbalom, an Eastern European instrument resembling a large hammered dulcimer.

In their 92NY debut on Nov. 21, 2025, the group will focus on music of the Americas with works by Brazilian composer Clarice Assad and American composers Carlos Simon and Valerie Coleman.

In 'Riddle' for chorus and orchestra the Georgian-Israeli composer transforms a medieval verse-riddle by poet Yehuda Halevi into a meditation on persecution and resilience.

The winners of Canada's top music composition competition hail from Israel, the U.S., Canada, and Europe.