Classical Composition, Folk Traditions, and Combining the Two
Han Chen speaks with composer Hsu Chiayu, whose work blends Chinese and western techniques and bond over their shared experience as Taiwanese immigrants.
Transitioning Out from a Period of Grief and Healing
Han Chen speaks with composer, improviser, and pianist Jonah Haven about the process of writing a new solo piano work co-commissioned by Han Chen and Metropolis Ensemble.
Archetypes are the Universal Language
Han Chen speaks with composer, pianist, and vocalist Clarice Assad about her Archetypes project, which illustrates types of characters that pop up in cultures all around the world.
Understanding of Eastern and Western Influences
Han Chen speaks with composer Huang Ruo about how he weaves his own personal understanding of Eastern and Western influences into his compositions.
Discovering Identity Through Music, Rejecting Categorization
Han Chen talks with composer Vivian Fung about how she discovered her own identity through listening to music outside the Western music canon, and why she rejects the idea of being categorized.
The Journey to Life Returns
Witness a yearlong time-lapse musical performance of an original work by composer and saxophonist Matthew Evan Taylor.
On Self-Reliance and the Power of Reading
Han Chen talks with Chinese-American composer Lei Liang about his immigrant story and how he looks up to the artistic giants who have inspired his composition.
Composing with Disbelief in Fairy Tales
Han Chen talks with composer Jihyun Kim about her musical background and studying in America.
On the Life of a Mexican-American
In the debut episode of Migration Music, Han Chen talks with composer Reinaldo Moya about his opera Tienda and his immigrant story.
Metropolis Radio: Fill Your Day with Music
Introducing Metropolis Radio, our new ongoing series of curated Spotify playlists from the next generation of composers and performers.
Metropolis Launches Flame Keepers
What if a concert could go on forever? This fall, we're launching a new digital installation conceived by Jakub Ciupinski.
Pausing to Experience House Music
After six months of pandemic, everyone is living in a time of pause. Engaging in something new reminds us all of the power of imagination.
I Care If You Listen: House Music
Metropolis Ensemble’s series, House Music, reflects its values of putting community at the heart of its practice, and allows it to continue to create opportunities for artists to do what they do best: make and share new music.
Music Will Move Us Forward
Our new virtual project, House Music, features bite-sized performances of both new works from musicians sheltering in place around the world.
Our First Four Years in Review
With the start of the new year, we want to pause a moment to reflect on the four years since Metropolis Ensemble’s founding in 2006.