NEXTET, the contemporary music series at the UNLV School of Music features twentieth and twenty-first-century concert music performed by faculty, students, and guest artists. Directed by Jennifer Bellor, NEXTET’s November concert will feature composer Michael Torke’s new album, Sessions, 3 A.M.. Michael Torke will give a solo performance of his 45-minute mood piano album for the very first time and will talk with the audience about his inspiration behind many of the works. He will also be available in the lobby after the concert to sell and sign both CDs and sheet music. Visit Michael Torke's website for more information about him and his new album.

This is a unique and intimate experience to hear solo mood piano music performed to a live audience for the very first time by the composer. You don’t want to miss this event!

About Michael Torke

Michael Torke's music has been commissioned by orchestras such as The Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the San Francisco Symphony; by ballet companies such as New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and the National Ballet of Canada; by opera companies such as the Metropolitan Opera, Théâtre du Châtelet, and the English National Opera; by large ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta, Lontano, and De Volharding; and small ensembles such as the Smith, Ying, and Amstel Quartets.

He has worked with conductors such as Simon Rattle, Kurt Mazur, Edo de Waart, and David Zinman; choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, James Kudelka, and Juri Kilian; and collaborated with librettists such as A. R. Gurney, Michael Korie, and Mark Campbell; and directors such as Des McAnuff, Bart Sher, and Michael Greif.

He has been commissioned by entities such as the Walt Disney Company, and Absolute Vodka; worked with soloists such as Tessa Lark, Christopher O'Reilly, and Joyce Castle; and written incidental music to such companies as The Public Theater, The Old Globe Theater, and Classic Stage Company; and been composer in residence with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Beginning his career with exclusive contracts with Boosey and Hawkes, and Decca Records, he now controls his own copyrights and masters through his publishing company, Adjustable Music, and record company, Ecstatic Records.

His music has been called "some of the most optimistic, joyful and thoroughly uplifting music to appear in recent years" (Gramophone). Hailed as a "vitally inventive composer" (Financial Times) and "a master orchestrator whose shimmering timbral palette makes him the Ravel of his generation" (New York Times), Torke has created a substantial body of works in virtually every genre.

A recent work, SKY, written for violinist Tessa Lark, was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize, and was nominated for a Grammy for best classical instrument solo.