BMOP’s greatest strength is the artistic distinction of its musicians and performances. Each season, Artistic Director Gil Rose gathers together an outstanding orchestra of dynamic and talented young performers, and presents some of the world’s top vocal and instrumental soloists. The Boston Globe claims, “Gil Rose is some kind of genius; his concerts are wildly entertaining, intellectually rigorous, and meaningful.” Of BMOP performances, The New York Times says: “Mr. Rose and his team filled the music with rich, decisive ensemble colors and magnificent solos. These musicians were rapturous—superb instrumentalists at work and play.”

News and Press

[News Coverage] Bottom's up in 'Midsummer' musical revamp

Martin Brody writes music, he says, in the decidedly modern idiomatic zone of composers like Igor Stravinsky, Olivier Messiaen, and Elliott Carter. But, though he doesn’t know exactly why, Brody, a music theory and composition professor at Wellesley College since 1979, has always had a fondness for Felix Mendelssohn.

The Chronicle of Higher Education Full review
[News Coverage] Genius, explained: firing up the canon

Back in 1996, conductor Gil Rose felt that “95 percent of what orchestras were playing had been written by people who’d been dead for more than 100 years.” Looking for a niche amid Boston’s crowded classical scene, he launched the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, devoted to contemporary music. More than 80 concerts later, BMOP has become the Hub’s most dynamic classical troupe. Its tag line: The Music Formerly Known as Classical. “We stole that from Prince, of course,” Rose says. 

Boston Magazine Full review
[News Coverage] Gil Rose talks to Michael Miller about contemporary music, BMOP, and the Opera Boston premiere of Madame White Snake

Gil Rose is best known for his leadership of two high-profile Boston organizations, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), one of the major supporters of contemporary music in America, and Opera Boston, which specializes in musically outstanding performances of operatic masterpieces which have been neglected by the mainstream houses. I know I’ll be eternally grateful to him and Opera Boston for my first opportunity to see Weber’s Der Freischütz, universally regarded as a seminal work in the history of opera and a great one, but rarely performed today.

The Berkshire Review Full review
[News Coverage] CD sales for contemporary classical music are the exception to flat sales in other categories

The news sounds like a broken record: No one is buying CDs. Au contraire. Those who appreciate contemporary classical music are spending their money on new recordings, released by several independent labels. And, the dedicated owners of these CD indies are inundated with submissions from composers and performers.

Music writer Joseph Dalton surveys the contemporary classical music scene in an online piece.

Neva Pilgrim, a co-founder of the Society for New Music, took time from her busy schedule assisting with Cazenovia Counterpoint to comment on the article. Here’s what she had to say:

Syracuse Post Full review
[News Coverage] On record – an overview of the state of contemporary music recording, Part 1: Still spinning

“I am distressed about my CD sales, which have completely tanked. I talked to the head of my label about this, and he told me, ‘No one’s buying CDs.’ In effect, he said, ‘What makes you think you’re special?’ Everybody’s collapsing.”
- composer John Adams, Newsweek, February 5, 2009

“The recording industry is kaput.”
- violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Times Union (Albany, NY), February 8, 2007

NewMusicBox Full review
[News Coverage] Making strides: the Boston Modern Orchestra Project reaping new harvest with recordings

In a world of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach, it’s not easy for modern composers to attract listeners. It’s also often highly challenging for musicians to prepare, play, and record works by contemporary composers. Thanks to the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), both composers and musicians have an opportunity to share their music with the masses.

International Musician Full review
[News Coverage] Orchestra dedicates itself to new music, thrives

Some have said that symphony orchestras are becoming museums. Perhaps that is true, but in Boston, exciting things are happening.

The Boston Modern Orchestra Project is a relatively new ensemble devoted to the performance of new music. While that term seems to scare a lot of people, the music it offers is quite accessible and is likely to become part of the standard repertoire.

Door County Advocate Full review
[News Coverage] Local band makes good

Not so long ago, a Boston concertgoer who loves large-scale music by living composers didn’t have a lot of options. They could look for freak occurrences on the schedules of local orchestras. Or they could Amtrak to New York to hear the American Composers Orchestra.

Conservatory graduates trained to sightread literally anything—remember those crazy Solfège parties?—would start to wonder what it was all for, if their true destiny was to sleepwalk through the cello line in the Candide overture until Social Security kicked in.

N.E.C. Notes Full review
[Press Release] BMOP receives a three-year grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council

The Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) is proud to announce that it is the recipient of an Organizational Support grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), which provides unrestricted operating funds to nearly 400 arts, humanities, and science organizations with track records of excellence, education, and community service. For this three-year granting cycle, BMOP received the fourth largest award among all orchestras in the state, despite its smaller scale.

Full review
[Interview] BMOP interview

Catherine Stephan, Executive Director of Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP)

Tell us about the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, how it was formed, it’s raison d’etre.

Composition Today Full review
[Press Release] BMOP/MATA call for scores

Music at the Anthology (MATA) is currently accepting scores for consideration for commissions and performances for the tenth annual MATA Festival in New York City in March 2008. This festival will be presented in participation with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. Up to four commissions ranging from solo to orchestral will be awarded. Commission amounts will depend on the scope of the commissioned work. Composers are expected to attend the premiere of their work.

Eligibility

Full review
[Press Release] ASCAP gives BMOP the John S. Edwards Award for strongest commitment to new American music

On Friday, June 2, 2006 the Boston Modern Orchestra Project will receive an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, given annually to honor orchestras whose programming indicates extraordinary efforts to expand the symphonic repertoire and develop and educate orchestra audiences. The Award will be given during the Awards Ceremony and Celebration of the American Symphony Orchestra League's 61st National Conference, be held this year in Los Angeles, California, May 30 - June 3 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites.

Full review
[Press Release] BMOP presented with eighth ASCAP award

The Boston Modern Orchestra Project, under Artistic Director Gil Rose, has been honored with an Award for Programming of Contemporary Music, offered by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the American Symphony Orchestra League. The awards will be presented on Friday, June 17, 2005 at the ASOL's 60th National Conference in Washington, DC.

The Awards for Adventurous Programming, initiated by ASCAP in 1959, recognize American orchestras whose programs demonstrate a strong commitment to the works of contemporary composers.

Full review
[Press Release] Volunteer for BMOP

BMOP has a small staff and a big agenda. Volunteering your time and expertise is a way to help BMOP, get an insider's look at this unique organization, and receive volunteer benefits.

We realize that not everyone interested in volunteering can make the same type of commitment. In order to accommodate volunteers' different needs and schedules, BMOP is offering three ways to donate your time—through the Student Network, by becoming an intern, or by signing up for the Volunteer Call List.

BMOP Student Network

Full review