“The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will launch a New Music Festival in mid-July with two concerts, one showcasing chamber pieces, the other orchestral works,” writes Tim Smith in Sunday’s (5/7) Baltimore Sun. “Works by two … composers with Baltimore connections will be performed: Christopher Rouse, born and based here; Kevin Puts, who teaches at the Peabody Institute. Also featured will be … Iranian-born Gity Razaz and German-born, Syrian-American Malek Jandali. Getting the most exposure in terms of works programmed will be Polish composer and soprano Agata Zubel.… [For her] ‘Labyrinth,’ a complex, kinetic piece from 2012 for voice and chamber ensemble, she will be the soloist…. The BSO will perform … [Zubel]’s ‘In the Shade of an Unshed Tear,’ [and] ‘Chapter 13.’ ” Also planned are Rouse’s Rotae Passionis (Passion Wheels); Razaz’s The Legend of Sigh for cello and electronics, featuring Inbal Segel as soloist; Puts’s The Red Snapper Quintet and a multimedia work, The City; and the world premiere by Jandali. Said Music Director Marin Alsop, “A new music festival in Baltimore in July—why not? … We have a pretty vibrant arts scene here in terms of cutting-edge and alternative. I tried to put really intriguing music together.”

Posted May 8, 2017