The Guitar Orchestra - Spectra Album

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Spectra: New Music for Guitar Orchestra


The New York City Guitar Orchestra, conducted by Jason Sagebiel and Nicoletta Todesco in collaboration with artistic direction by John Olson, releases Spectra (2024), a collection of newly composed works for multiple guitars by such luminaries of the plucked string world as David Leisner, Frederic Hand, David Loeb, William Anderson, and João Luiz. Music for multiple players on the same instrument has grown in recent years, perhaps inspired by the success of percussion ensembles. Works by prominent composers for several bassoons, or flutes, or pianos have made their mark on concert programs. The guitar is a natural fit for similar ventures, inhabiting its own space in the concert music world, increasingly integrated with other instruments but retaining its unique profile. The music and spirited collaboration on this recording reflect the sense of community that is only further enhanced by projects of this sort.

A NYC Style Album Release Celebration

On September 19, 2024, we celebrated the launch of our debut album with a unique exhibition at the Landmark Art Space in Chelsea. Visitors experienced the album in an innovative "silent disco" style, where descriptions of tracks from Spectra were displayed alongside the visual art. Guests explored the gallery while listening to the music via headphones, blending the worlds of art and classical guitar in an immersive setting. We were thrilled to have many of the composers and performers featured on the album join us for this special event. This release marks a significant milestone for both the NYC Classical Guitar Society and the NYC Guitar Orchestra, as it represents a rare example of such high-quality production in this genre. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and helped bring this project to life.

Please read about each track and explore the gallery QR labels used for the exhibition by clicking here.