New Works Program

Since its inception in 2004, our robust New Works Program has commissioned and presented 19 world premieres, while presenting three more regional and local premieres. A key element of our organization's outreach efforts, the production of these contemporary pieces serves to advance 21st century compositional craft within the context of music that reflects the diverse cultural traditions of our shared past.

Our commissions to date include new works from such leading artists as Paul Dresher, Kurt Rohde, Valerie Coleman, Wayne Wallace, Yu-Hui Chan, and our own Grammy award-winning composer in residence, Gabriela Lena Frank.

New Works Sponsorship

Become a part of the creative process! Contributions toward our New Works Program put you in direct contact with the up-and-coming composers of classical music today. Please contact us for more information on how you can get involved!

List of Commissions & Premieres

2012–2013

Gabriela Lena Frank: Journey of the Shadow for Narrator & Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]

Michael Gilbertson: Concerto for Guitar & String Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Ben Pila & the SFCO

Harold Meltzer: Sinfonia Concertante [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Scott St. John, Sharon Wei, & the SFCO
Companion Work: Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364

2011–2012

Wayne Wallace: Rancho San Miguel for Jazz Trombone & Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]

Incredible Shrinking Orchestra Project 2.0: Chamber Orchestration of Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet for 14 Players [Commission & World Premiere]
Arranged by Mark Ackerly, Red Bennett, David Gottlieb, & Noah Luna

2010–2011

Cindy Cox: Cañon [Commission & World Premiere]
Companion Work: Stravinsky’s Octet for Wind Instruments

Donald Sosin: Now or Never [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Live, Synchronized Accompaniment to the Screening of the 1921 Harold Lloyd Silent Comedic Film Now or Never

Incredible Shrinking Orchestra Project 1.0: Chamber Orchestration of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring for 14 Players [Commission & World Premiere]
Arranged by Elizabeth Kimble, Noah Luna, Anthony Porter, Jonathan Russell, & Winton Yuichiro White

2009–2010

Gloria Justen: The Spirit Is Alive for Solo Violin, Solo Cello, & String Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Gloria Justen, Eric Gaenslen, & the SFCO)

Gabriella Lena Frank: Haílli Lírico Concerto for Violin & Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Robin Sharp & the SFCO

2008–2009

Richard Festinger: Clarinet Concerto [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Dimitri Ashkenazy & the SFCO

Michael Gilbertson: Concertino for Oboe & String Orchestra (2006) [West Coast Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Peter Lemberg & the SFCO

2007–2008

Yu-Hui Chang: Mountain Is Mountain [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Tod Brody & the SFCO

Belinda Reynolds: Untitled for Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]
Companion Work: Brahms’s Serenade No. 2 in A major

2006–2007

Kurt Rohde: Viola Concerto [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance by Madeline Prager & the SFCO
Companion Work: Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks Concerto

Valerie Coleman: Concertino for Piano & Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]
Companion Work: Classical Mozart Orchestra

Wayne Wallace: Cuban Variations for Trombone & String Quintet [Commission & World Premiere]
Composed for Performance at the San Francisco International Arts Festival

2005–2006

Richard Aldag: Elegy for Cello & Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]
Companion Work: Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphony No. 1

Gabriela Ortiz: Altar de Neon [Bay Area Premiere]
Composed for Performance at the San Francisco International Arts Festival

2004–2005

Harold Meltzer: Full Faith & Credit Concerto for Two Bassoons & Chamber Orchestra [Commission & World Premiere]

Paul Dresher: Still, Rise, Fall Again [Commission & World Premiere]
Companion Work: Copland’s Appalachian Spring (Original 13-Instrument Version)

Wang Xi-Lin: Untitled for Chamber Orchestra [North American Premiere]
Composed for Performance at the San Francisco International Arts Festival