Jonathan Leshnoff
“a leader of contemporary American lyricism”
- NEW YORK TIMES
“a leader of contemporary American lyricism”
- NEW YORK TIMES
Photo by Erica Abbey
Distinguished by The New York Times as “a leader of contemporary American lyricism,” GRAMMY-nominated composer Jonathan Leshnoff is renowned for his music's striking harmonies, structural complexity, and powerful themes. The Baltimore-based composer’s works have been performed by leading international orchestras and chamber ensembles in hundreds of concerts worldwide. He has received recent commissions from Carnegie Hall, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, and Pittsburgh, among others. Leshnoff’s compositions have also been premiered by classical music’s most celebrated soloists, including Gil Shaham, Roberto Díaz, Johannes Moser, Manuel Barrueco, and Joyce Yang. (Full Biography)
The “President's Own” United States Marine Band has released the world premiere recording of Jonathan Leshnoff's “Symphony for Winds” on their new release, Aspire: “The President’s Own” at 225: Volume 1: United States Marine Band.
“Violinist Gil Shaham, always a welcome visitor to the Aspen Music Festival, debuted a new sonata by Jonathan Leshnoff on Wednesday in his Harris Hall recital. The world premiere of the heart-on-sleeve, unabashedly-melodic, lushly-expressive piece made for a memorable occasion.”
May 16 and 18, 2024, the Atlanta Symphony and conductor Robert Spano will give the world premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s oratorio, The Sacrifice of Isaac alongside Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
On April 21, 2023, Naxos American Classics released Elegy, Violin Concerto No. 2, Of Thee I Sing, works for orchestra and chorus on the theme of remembrance, memorialization and hopefulness performed by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor and soloist Noah Bendix-Balgley, First Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic.
A playlist featuring Jonathan Leshnoff