Mission: Commission Miller Theatre at Columbia University

An introduction to our composers: Ann Cleare, Wang Lu, and Miguel Zenón, as they begin their creative journey to compose new pieces of classical music in 6 weeks for Mission: Commission.

Where do musical ideas and inspiration come from? In hearing these origin stories, we also learn more about the composers themselves.

This season, the composers are writing music for piano plus one other instrument. We hear about their relationship with the piano, and their different approaches in composing for this instrument.

We’ve reached that point in the creative process where hard decisions need to be made: keep, cut, continue, end – or maybe even start again? Which direction will the piece take?

The pieces have taken on a definitive shape, and a life of their own. How do composers communicate their vision - to the musicians, and to the audience? And how do they choose a name for their creations?

The composers have reached the last stages of writing the piece - what more remains to be done before the music can finally take on a life of its own?