School of Music

Arlene Sierra's new work, Game of Attrition, commissioned by the NYPO, received its world premiere in New York on 17 December 2009. The performance, given as part of 'Contact', the New York Philharmonic's New Music Series, was conducted by its composer-in-residence, the Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg. The premiere at Symphony Space on Broadway was followed by a second performance, two days later, at the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

Ms. Sierra has long been fascinated by game theory and Darwinian evolution, and this piece is an attempt to evoke the process of attrition, as in natural selection. Throughout the bustling 14-minute work, instruments engage and tussle with one another as if struggling to prevail and move up the musical/evolutionary ladder. Yet, as the title suggests, Ms. Sierra makes a game of it. Little cells of tightly confined pitches knock about with others, grow into larger gestures and then cut loose into skittish flights.

Anthony Tommasini, 'New Sounds from a Smaller Stage', The New York Times

The new age of classical music in New York couldn’t be more aptly heralded than with Arlene Sierra’s Game of Attrition. ... At turns spry, savage, sly and seductive, Game of Attrition is a Stravinskian play among brass and strings, piano and percussion ... so enrapturing.

Olivia Giovetti, 'Sierra wins the Game of Attrition', Time Out New York

For further information, please follow these links:

New York Philharmonic Video/Interview (16 December 2009)

NewMusicBox feature on Sierra New York Philharmonic commission (16 December 2009)

Preview in Time Out New York (17-30 December 2009)