David Chesky’s three new concertos have redefined the role of the modern string soloist. By fusing the classical concerto form with the modern harmonic language of American rhythmic jazz, these innovative works extend theoretical parameters to realms reserved only for the few pioneers truly revolutionizing their instruments today. Tom Chiu and Dave Eggar are by turn chamber soloists, free jazz experimentalists, and poetic sound abstractionists who bring a volcanic rock-and-roll energy to these works, transcending the typical concerto. Fiendishly difficult passage work and extreme timbral ranges present a new athleticism to the musical virtuosity as the soloists debate, collide and duel with the orchestra and also with each other. Throughout, Chesky’s poignant juxtaposition of primitive power of urban groove and the elegance of classical refinement reveals the birth of a new genre in American music.

Composer David Chesky has two full length albums planned later in 2015, one orchestral and one jazz. In preparation for these, enjoy a small taste of David’s works with this mini album featuring his three Brazilian Dances for solo piano as well as his Etude No. 1 for solo piano. Both works emanate from David’s compositional style, a combination of 21st century harmonies paired with South American rhythms.

David Chesky’s Rap Symphony is about a transitional society, a society that is shifting from the word to the image. Our civilization once used to believe in depth and reading and art; now abstract thought is changing into a simplistic, superficial society where one is consumed with the quick Starbucks or Twitter fix. It’s all lightness of being today. We don’t celebrate anticipation anymore, people don’t want to put the time in. This symphony is about the collapse of that whole ethos.

The phrase in the lyrics that says ‘kill the philharmonic’ doesn’t mean that literally. It’s a metaphor for a society that has no use for the philharmonic. We’re losing these things. Pretty soon John Coltrane and Miles Davis, along with all jazz and classic music, will become museum pieces. We used to have a culture that cherished these, but in a super simplistic society, there’s just no room for them.