The National Symphony Orchestra Will Perform New Works

WASHINGTON (National Symphony Orchestra Official Website) - The National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leonard Slatkin will perform the world premiere of two musical works based on dance at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday.

"Symphony Mo. 1: Ballet for Orchestra'' is a 27-minute work in four movements modeled after symphonies of the late 1700s by Josef Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The new symphony is by Cindy McFee, who teaches at the University of North Texas at Denton, Texas. "Dance Craze,'' a three- to four-minute work by Steven Burke of New York, will also have its first performance Thursday.

On Oct. 30 and 31, Slatkin will conduct the McFee symphony at New York City's Carnegie Hall, along with two works by Finnish composers: a clarinet concerto by Einojuhani Rautavaara and "Nymphea Reflection'' by Kaija Saariaho.

The new works were commissioned by the orchestra through the John and June Hechinger Commissioning Fund.