Press

GRAMMY® nominated Metropolis Ensemble receives consistent rave reviews from national and international press, elevating our composers, artists, and creativity.

Two performers on stage, one woman in a dark purple outfit and a man in a dark suit, dancing or acting during a theatrical production with a dark background, stage lights, and empty chairs.

“Best Classical Music of 2025 So Far… Metropolis Ensemble’s shimmering performance contributed to the dream-like unreality... leaves listeners suspended between ambiguity and wonder.”

—The New York Times for Christopher Cerrone's opera, In A Grove, at Prototype Festival

Group of seven musicians, some holding string instruments, smiling in a concert hall with red seats and wooden walls.

“Wonderfully controlled and poised performance, Metropolis Ensemble in full control throughout… I cannot recommend this album highly enough.”

—Gramophone Editor's Choice for Timo Andres' studio album, The Blind Banister

An audience watching a performance with a pianist playing on an illuminated stage, decorated with electronic screens displaying text and abstract patterns, with colorful lighting creating a vibrant atmosphere.

“It’s rare enough to catch a world premiere. It’s unheard of to catch 18 in one night. The variety is dizzying, and oh-so-enticing.”

—The Village Voice Editor's Choice for Han Chen's concert, Infinite Staircase

As Seen On…

  • A man in glasses and a dark blazer standing with arms crossed in an indoor space with a large panoramic mural of a cityscape behind him.

    “Upstate Obscura features Mr. Andres’s deceptively chaotic rhythmic hallmarks, but it also nods to Versailles’ heyday and Baroque ornamentation.” (The New York Times)

    Metropolis presented a World Premiere from composer and pianist Timo Andres at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of its exhibition “Visitors to Versailles” inspired by a giant 360-degree panoramic scene by artist John Vanderlyn at The Met. Read the article »

  • A musical performance with a band and choir on stage. The band includes a guitarist, drummer, and keyboardist, while the choir is standing behind them. The performer in front is wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses, singing into a microphone.

    “Pianos and strings clash in explosions of third-stream jazz… deep-blue tones vibrate like Miles Davis' Porgy and Bess.” (Rolling Stone)

    Metropolis collaborated with Questlove and The Roots on projects including their 2014 release “And Then You Shoot Your Cousin,” performing together on The Tonight Show. Watch the video »

  • A group of people on a small boat with a large sail, floating on a calm river. The boat has a decorative sail with a blue emblem, and there are musicians playing instruments on the boat. The scene is outdoors with trees and rocks in the background.

    “Dapperly dressed brass players from Metropolis boarded the S. S. Hangover in Central Park, hoisted anchor, and dropped sail.” (Vice)

    In 2015, Creative Time and Central Park Conservancy presented a Venice Biennale installation in collaboration with Metropolis artists sailing across the Harlem Meer. Explore the project »

  • A woman in a white dress is singing into a microphone while a young girl operates electronic music equipment and a woman plays the violin. They are performing outdoors among lush green trees and foliage, with a small group of people watching in the background.

    "Recommended... Biophony: SoundGarden is an immersive soundbath experience created by composer Ricardo Romaneiro for Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s conservatories." (I 🖤 New York)

    Metropolis and Brooklyn Botanic Garden collaborated over multiple years to create “Biophony,” a series of musical adventures with pods of musicians across the 52-acre gardens. Explore the project »

  • Musicians performing classical music with two women playing violin and one woman playing cello in a grand, ornate room with chandeliers and framed paintings, surrounded by seated and standing audience.

    “The audience walked among musicians… first surprised, then charmed, and, finally, empowered by having control over their experience.” (Wall Street Journal)

    WSJ went behind-the-scenes at the Metropolis commissioned “Brownstone” in 2015, an immersive electro-acoustic installation in an Upper East Side mansion. Watch the video »

  • A woman playing the harp with two young girls playing the violin on a dark stage.

    “A combination of forces… dedicated to contemporary music and sharing a truly visionary outlook… with driven, but elegant force, and with seeming ease.” (The Washington Post)

    In 2014, Metropolis presented a world premiere commission from Vivian Fung alongside other 21st century rising star composers at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. Read the article »

  • Five people standing together in a concert hall, smiling and posing for the photo. Musical instruments and microphones are visible around them.

    “Metropolis Ensemble under conductor Andrew Cyr in full control throughout… I cannot recommend this album highly enough.” (Gramophone)

    Composer and pianist Timo Andres’ Dolby Atmos studio recording, “The Blind Banister” with Metropolis, cellist Inbal Segev, and Grammy-winning producer Silas Brown, was named a Gramophone Editors Choice studio album for 2024. Read the review »

  • A woman performing on stage with a spotlight, wearing a long dress, with a projection screen behind her displaying the words 'hurting down the steep, flinging...'. An audience sitting in chairs, some wearing masks, are watching her.

    “Vividly produced… a creation of its own, carefully considered for the studio… commanding attention until the end.” (The New York Times)

    The Times named Metropolis’ debut opera recording, “In A Grove” by Christopher Cerrone and Stephanie Fleischmann, one of the best classical music albums of 2023. Listen to the album »

  • Two musicians playing guitars on a stage with music stands and a large harp between them, colorful stage lighting, and a backdrop with red and purple hues.

    “Avner Dorman writes with an omnivorous eclecticism… Metropolis Ensemble provides crisp, energetic support throughout.” (The New York Times)

    Our debut studio recording, Avner Dorman’s Mandolin Concerto received a classical nomination in the 2010 GRAMMY® Awards for Avi Avital (soloist) and Andrew Cyr (conductor) with Metropolis Ensemble. Listen to the album »

  • An outdoor concert at the Hollywood Bowl with a large audience seated in front of a stage set in a hillside venue surrounded by trees.

    “The music of Wye Oak with the gorgeous voice of Jenn Wasner... it’s a massive variation, a new symphonic retelling.” (NPR)

    A fruitful multi-year collaboration between Metropolis, composer William Brittelle, and indie-rock duo Wye Oak has led to new studio albums on New Amsterdam and Nonesuch Records and concerts at Hollywood Bowl, Symphony Space, Public Records, and CIT Ireland. Explore the projects »

  • An orchestra performing on stage with musicians playing various instruments, a conductor leading, and an audience watching in front of large glass windows.

    “Metropolis isn't just the hippest classical gang in the city; the musicians who play with them are also some of New York's best.” (Manhattan Users Guide)

    This popular NYC newsletter highlighted the Metropolis concert “LOOP,” featuring a world premiere co-commission from composer Ryan Francis in 2008 at The Times Center. Explore the concert »

  • Orchestra performing on stage with musicians playing various instruments and conductor leading.

    “Today's most promising new composers, featuring a revolving cast of the finest young chamber musicians around.” (NPR)

    WNYC broadcast of “The Rite Remixed,” Stravinsky’s icon reimagined by Ricardo Romaneiro, Ryan Francis, and Leo Leite at Celebrate Brooklyn! in 2008 with indie band Deerhoof. Listen now »

Collage of logos for music awards and platforms including 2023 Grammy Awards, Juno Awards, Opus Klassik, The New York Times, Gramophone, and Bandcamp.

Creating and producing award-winning music.

Here are some of the awards, nominations, and editorial recognitions that Metropolis Ensemble studio albums have received to date:

Press Kit

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