Modern Jewish Minimalists: Awesöme Orchestra Performs Steve Reich and Philip Glass

In conjunction with The 613 by Archie Rand, contemporary classical musicians perform works by twentieth-century Jewish minimalist composers. The concerts take place in the galleries among the paintings. Awesöme Orchestra will perform Steve Reich’s “Nagoya Marimbas,” and Philip Glass’ “Cabin in the Rockies,” “To Aunt Rose,” and “Wichita Vortex Sutra.” 
From a flash mob at BART to flooding the stage of the Fox Theater with musicians, Awesöme Orchestra seeks musical adventures. In spring of 2013, conductor David Möschler called up a bunch of Bay Area musicians for an experiment—an open music reading session, with Beethoven, Bolero, and beer. Over fifty people showed up. They realized immediately that they had created something special: a musical group dedicated to being accessible on every level. What began as a small collective of friends playing music together has grown into a community that spans the Bay Area. Today, over 1000 local musicians have played in Awesöme Orchestra.

Awesome Orchestra photo by Dave Weiland.