Courtney Bryan’s Visual Rhythms Premieres in Jacksonville
Bryan unveils a new orchestral work composed of 11 short vignettes inspired by different pieces of art, premiering with the Jacksonville Symphony and Courtney Lewis in March.
On March 8–9, 2024, Courtney Bryan unveils a new orchestral work, Visual Rhythms, premiering with Jacksonville Symphony and music director Courtney Lewis at Jacoby Symphony Hall. Bryan was recently awarded the 2023 MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellowship, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards, in acknowledgement of her exceptional talent and creativity.
> March 8–9: Courtney Bryan, Visual Rhythms (World Premiere)
The piece, approximately 22 minutes long, is composed in 11 short vignettes, which each reflect on specific works of art from the personal collection of Robert O'Meally, the Zora Neale Hurston Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia, and founder of Columbia’s Center for Jazz Studies. During a trip to New York City, Bryan visited O’Meally’s art collection, including pieces by Norman Lewis, Romare Bearden, Alfred Smith, John Abbott, Frank Stewart, Herman Leonard, and Petra Richtorova, and was inspired to write music inspired by the art.
The movements of Visual Rhythms are as follows:
I. Norman Lewis, Autumn Garden
II. Romare Bearden, Circe
III. Alfred Smith, visual rhythms
IV. Norman Lewis, red
V. John Abbott, Sonny Rollins
VI. Frank Stewart, dancer
VII. Norman Lewis, black and white 1
VIII. Norman Lewis, man sitting
IX. Herman Leonard, Billie Holiday
X. Petra Richterova, Chucho Valdés
XI. Norman Lewis, black and white 2
Bryan states, “While I was viewing the art, I was reminded of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Each piece here had a story behind why it was collected, and what meaning they had. I began composing reflections on the different works that I saw there—some movements convey the general mood or impression of the artwork, and others are more literal in conveying elements, shapes, and colors.”
Bryan was particularly drawn to the numerous Norman Lewis paintings in the collection, and composed multiple vignettes inspired by his work that share similar harmonies, and are spread out throughout the work, helping to anchor the larger work.
The composer also explains, “I was most excited about using a lot of color”—using doublings of winds to achieve a wide range of timbres, and different mutes for the brass. Having previously served as composer-in-residence with Jacksonville Symphony from 2018–2020, she focused on writing for the orchestra’s impressive percussion section, highlighting parts for glockenspiel, marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone.
Concert info
March 8, 2024 at 7:30pm
March 9, 2024 at 7:30pm
Jacoby Symphony Hall | Jacksonville
More info
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
Courtney Lewis, Conductor
MAURICE RAVEL La valse
COURTNEY BRYAN Visual Rhythms (World Premiere)
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3, “Organ Symphony”
> Further information on Work: Visual Rhythms
Photo: Taylor Hunter
