NSO Commissions
The NSO’s first commissioned work was performed in 1956 under the baton of Howard Mitchell. Since then, 127 pieces have been commissioned over the years.
Much of this work is due to the Hechinger Foundation’s commissioning project, which was announced in 1983. The Foundation has led to the creation of more than 70 works by more than 50 American composers, including two Pulitzer-Prize winners. One such Pulitzer-Prize winner was the very first Hechinger Commission, Stephen Albert’s RiverRun Symphony, which the NSO premiered in January of 1985.
The NSO works closely with Carlos Simon and Social Impact on the Cartography Project, which aims to elevate the works of Black composers from across the United States, who have not yet had their compositions played by major orchestras.
Upcoming Commissions
- Carlos Simon: Concerto for Orchestra
- Adolphus Hailstork: JFK – The Last Speech
- Bryce Dessner: Mari
- Tania León: Pasajes
- Billy Childs: Saxophone Concerto
- Anna Clyne: This Moment
Carlos Simon
Composer-In-Residence
Carlos Simon is the Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence and has produced multiple works for the NSO. As a composer, Simon depicts themes of history, migration, community and belonging in his music.
View a Full List of Commissioned Works
Mason Bates: Art of War | A Kennedy Center Digital Stage Original
The Human Journey: Lera Auerbach on Composing ARCTICA
Recent Commissioned Works
2019-2020 Season
In November 2019, the NSO gave the D.C. premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts’ The Brightness of Light, an NSO co-commission inspired by the letters between iconic American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz. The performance, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda, featured soprano Renée Fleming and baritone Rod Gilfry.
When former NSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin led the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, he commissioned a set of variations—each from a different living American composer—on the famous Paganini Caprice No. 24.In honor of Leonard Slatkin’s 75th Birthday season, a number of orchestras, including the NSO, have each commissioned an additional variation to create a new, expanded version of the work. The NSO performed this work in December 2019 with Slatkin, who was a proponent for new works during his time at the NSO, conducting.
2018-2019 Season
Conducted by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, Art of War, a new work by Kennedy Center Composer in Residence Mason Bates, had its World Premiere in December 2018 alongside Mahler, Symphony No. 1.
In March 2019, the NSO and National Geographic Society co-commissioned ARCTICA, inspired by the natural world. With acclaimed composer Lera Aeurbach at the piano, the piece featured a chorus singing in Inuit languages and a percussionist playing ice blocks, and raised awareness of climate change as a critical issue today.