BalletCollective: Echoes of the Unseen

Presenting newly commissioned works in collaboration with choreographers Alysa Pires and Chloe Crenshaw, composers Nicky Sohn and 7038634357 (Neo Gibson), and visual artists linn meyers and Siyan Camille Ji.

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October 30 / 6:30—10:30pm / Cathedral of St. John the Divine

"Metropolis Ensemble’s shimmering performance contributed to the dream-like unreality... leaves listeners suspended between ambiguity and wonder."

The New York Times: The Best Classical Music of 2025, So Far — for In A Grove at Prototype Festival
“Wonderfully controlled and poised performance, Metropolis Ensemble in full control throughout… I cannot recommend this album highly enough.”

Gramophone Best of 2024 — for Timo Andres’ The Blind Banister
“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 Infinite Staircase
“Pianos and strings clash in explosions of third-stream jazz… deep-blue tones vibrate like Miles Davis' Porgy and Bess.”

Rolling Stone — for The Roots’ And Then You Shoot Your Cousin
“The audience walked among musicians… first surprised, then charmed, and, finally, empowered by having control over their experience.”

Wall Street Journal — for Ricardo Romaneiro’s Brownstone
“Dapperly dressed brass players from Metropolis boarded the S. S. Hangover in Central Park, hoisted anchor, and dropped sail.”

Vice — for Ragnar Kjartansson and Kjartan Sveinsson’s Drifting in Daylight
“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 — for Vivian Fung’s Concerto for Harp
“Avner Dorman writes with an omnivorous eclecticism… Metropolis Ensemble provides crisp, energetic support throughout.”

The New York Times — for Avner Dorman’s Concertos
“The music of Wye Oak with the gorgeous voice of Jenn Wasner... it’s a massive variation, a new symphonic retelling.”

NPR — for William Brittelle and Wye Oak’s Shriek Variations
“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 — for Ryan Francis’ Piano Concerto
“Today's most promising new composers, featuring a revolving cast of the finest young chamber musicians around.”

NPR — for Ricardo Romaneiro, Ryan Francis, and Leo Leite’s The Rite Remixed at Celebrate Brooklyn

We are a multiple Grammy-nominated music collective, founded by Andrew Cyr, dedicated to showcasing the next generation of visionary composers and musicians. 2k+ artists since 2006.

We produce one-of-a-kind concert experiences in NYC and beyond, commission groundbreaking music, and release ambitious studio recordings. Our projects reimagine what’s possible in today’s music, connecting new voices with new audiences.

The New York Times recently hailed one of our projects as “the best classical music of 2025 so far… highlight of the festival… a haunting psychological thriller… stylized yet sensual.”

Meet Andrew

Meet our Artists

We have a nimble business model that directly supports artists, launches careers, and commissions new works.

“Working with Metropolis was a truly transformative experience. Unparalleled artistry and unwavering dedication. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.” —Ricardo Romaneiro

Donate Now

Upcoming Projects

We are collaborating with artist Erika Dohi for the release of her new studio album, Myth of Tomorrow, on October 24.

Get a Preview
We're currently in the studio mastering recordings of works by Sarah Kirkland Snider and Matthew Evan Taylor.

Get a Preview
We're gearing up for our annual pop-up concert series on sidewalks around New York City featuring original commissions.

Get a Preview
We are producing a breathtaking new opera about mental health and family history with Vivian Fung and Royce Vavrek.

Explore the Project
We are teaching music composition to thousands of NYC middle school students with our education partners.

Find Out More

We champion outstanding early-career composers and performers who are shaping the sound of tomorrow.

BBC Music Magazine named composer Gity Razaz a "2022 Rising Star." Metropolis has supported her work since 2010 including commissions and performing on her debut album.
The first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy, Avi Avital is a global superstar who skyrocketed from Metropolis projects like Avner Dorman’s soaring “Mandolin Concerto” back in 2007.
Behind the scenes and on-stage, Molly Joyce has been a driving force behind Metropolis digital and incubator projects since 2017, including an upcoming commissioned work for the deaf community.
The works of saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins are filled with empathy and conviction. He and his quartet regularly partner with Metropolis including our recent Roscoe Mitchell World Premiere.
A perennial Metropolis crowd-favorite, composer and Juno Award winner Vivian Fung explores global voices in her work and is passionate about empowering the next generation of young artists.

Project Highlights

Summer Solstice Celebration

On June 20, Metropolis presented two World Premieres: Matthew Evan Taylor’s Afropneuma at sunrise and Erik Hall’s reimagining of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians at sunset—two powerful works inspired by breath and transformation.

See project highlights

Flame Keepers

Experience our real-time perpetual concert installation.

Listen Now

Recent Projects

A World Premiere work by innovator Roscoe Mitchell with Emi Ferguson, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, and Ruckus.

February 2025 at DACAMERA Houston

See Highlights
The New York Premiere of composer Christopher Cerrone and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann’s new opera.

January 2025 at PROTOTYPE Festival

Read Reviews
Our recent studio album Timo Andres: The Blind Banister was nominated for the GRAMMYs "Best Engineered Album."

February 2025 at 67th GRAMMY Awards

Listen to the Album
LIQUIDVERSE, Ricardo Romaneiro’s immersive audiovisual symphony with 118 artists, is now playing.

Screenings at Cosm LA and Cosm Dallas

Get a Preview

We create bold, genre-defying projects that transform how music is experienced.

As a nimble, forward-thinking collective, we conceive and develop new works from full orchestras to flexible ensembles with creative sonic pairings, and place them in unexpected places — redefining what an orchestra can be.

Explore our wide-ranging body of work.

BalletCollective: Echoes of the Unseen

Presenting newly commissioned works in collaboration with choreographers Alysa Pires and Chloe Crenshaw, composers Nicky Sohn and 7038634357 (Neo Gibson), and visual artists linn meyers and Siyan Camille Ji.

"Metropolis Ensemble’s shimmering performance contributed to the dream-like unreality... leaves listeners suspended between ambiguity and wonder."

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

“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.”

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

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

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

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

“Avner Dorman writes with an omnivorous eclecticism… Metropolis Ensemble provides crisp, energetic support throughout.”

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

“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.”

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

We are a multiple Grammy-nominated music collective, founded by Andrew Cyr, dedicated to showcasing the next generation of visionary composers and musicians. 2k+ artists since 2006.

We produce one-of-a-kind concert experiences in NYC and beyond, commission groundbreaking music, and release ambitious studio recordings. Our projects reimagine what’s possible in today’s music, connecting new voices with new audiences.

The New York Times recently hailed one of our projects as “the best classical music of 2025 so far… highlight of the festival… a haunting psychological thriller… stylized yet sensual.”

We have a nimble business model that directly supports artists, launches careers, and commissions new works.

We are collaborating with artist Erika Dohi for the release of her new studio album, Myth of Tomorrow, on October 24.

We're currently in the studio mastering recordings of works by Sarah Kirkland Snider and Matthew Evan Taylor.

We're gearing up for our annual pop-up concert series on sidewalks around New York City featuring original commissions.

We are producing a breathtaking new opera about mental health and family history with Vivian Fung and Royce Vavrek.

We are teaching music composition to thousands of NYC middle school students with our education partners.

Project Highlights

Summer Solstice Celebration

On June 20, Metropolis presented two World Premieres: Matthew Evan Taylor’s Afropneuma at sunrise and Erik Hall’s reimagining of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians at sunset—two powerful works inspired by breath and transformation.

Flame Keepers

Experience our real-time perpetual concert installation.

A World Premiere work by innovator Roscoe Mitchell with Emi Ferguson, Immanuel Wilkins Quartet, and Ruckus.

The New York Premiere of composer Christopher Cerrone and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann’s new opera.

Our recent studio album Timo Andres: The Blind Banister was nominated for the GRAMMYs "Best Engineered Album."

LIQUIDVERSE, Ricardo Romaneiro’s immersive audiovisual symphony with 118 artists, is now playing.

We create bold, genre-defying projects that transform how music is experienced.

As a nimble, forward-thinking collective, we conceive and develop new works from full orchestras to flexible ensembles with creative sonic pairings, and place them in unexpected places — redefining what an orchestra can be.

Explore our wide-ranging body of work.

Metropolis Ensemble needs your sustaining support. Donate now.