Nico Muhly

In 2012, David Lang spent so much time racking up awards — from Carnegie Hall’s 2013-14 Debs Composer’s Chair to Musical America’s Composer of the Year — that it’s a wonder he was able to wrangle a project of the size and scope of death speaks. Commissioned by Carnegie Hall and Stanford Lively Arts to go on a program with his piece the little match girl passion, death speaks draws its initial inspiration from the work of Schubert — specifically the song “Death and the Maiden.”

Aurora Orchestra, together with conductor Nicholas Collon, is an innovative, energetic and talented ensemble. It has already amassed a good amount of praise from the critics, quickly establishing itself as the most significant new British chamber orchestra in a generation. Collon by himself is also making waves, increasingly in demand as a guest conductor in the UK and abroad. This album features a straightforwardly American repertoire selection, interspersing the core repertoire with some beautifully arranged folk/pop songs inspired by the theme.