Concerto Commission from Jessie Montgomery

The composer Jessie Montgomery is currently writing a concerto for viola and chamber orchestra for Masumi that will be premiered in the 2020-2021 season.

New York native Jessie Montgomery is a violinist, composer, and music educator. She was born, and raised in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the 1980s, a time when the neighborhood was at a major turning point in its history. Her parents were entrenched in the activities of the neighborhood, often escorting her to rallies, performances, and parties where artists of the time gathered to shed light on important issues. These experiences influenced Ms. Montgomery to create a life in which performance, creativity, education, and advocacy merge.

She began her violin studies at the Third Street Music School Settlement and holds a violin performance degree from The Juilliard School and a degree in composition for film and multimedia from New York University. Among her achievements, she was awarded the Sphinx Organization’s MPower grant to assist in the development of her debut album, Strum: Music for Strings.

Jessie Montgomery is a member of the highly acclaimed Catalyst Quartet, touring regularly in the United States and abroad. In addition to composing, she performs frequently with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silkroad Ensemble, The Knights, and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. 

Mozart with Sonia Shiang Whun Rostad and Anthony McGill

Masumi has teamed up with with the pianist Sonia Shiang Whun Rostad and clarinetist Anthony McGill to record and perform Mozart together. Repertoire includes the Kegelstatt trio, as well as a selection of violin sonatas.

The album will be released by Bridge Records in summer 2019.