Press & Acclaim
Acclaim
Forbes
One of America’s largest exports is our music. Our culture. And with the release of brea(d)th, a landmark classical-and-spoken-word album composed by Grammy-nominated Carlos Simon as a response to George Floyd’s murder in 2020 and America’s century’s-long embrace of anti-black bias, the struggle now has an extended soundtrack.
One of America’s largest exports is our music. Our culture. And with the release of brea(d)th, a landmark classical-and-spoken-word album composed by Grammy-nominated Carlos Simon as a response to George Floyd’s murder in 2020 and America’s century’s-long embrace of anti-black bias, the struggle now has an extended soundtrack.
Adrienne Gibbs
Feature
New York Times
He writes quickly, affectingly and invitingly... His scores often sound as if they believe, sincerely yet humbly, in their own power to make a difference.
He writes quickly, affectingly and invitingly... His scores often sound as if they believe, sincerely yet humbly, in their own power to make a difference.
David Allen
Acclaim
Boston Globe
As with Simon’s other works that have delved critically into the history of race in American life, this new piece, from its title down through its music, feels like a gesture of reclamation.
As with Simon’s other works that have delved critically into the history of race in American life, this new piece, from its title down through its music, feels like a gesture of reclamation.
Jeremy Eichler
Acclaim
The Times
At the concert’s jubilant peak, reached in the frenzy of Carlos Simon’s "Amen!", inspired by the worshipful exultations of the Pentecostal church, the Barbican Hall shook with joy.
At the concert’s jubilant peak, reached in the frenzy of Carlos Simon’s "Amen!", inspired by the worshipful exultations of the Pentecostal church, the Barbican Hall shook with joy.
Geoff Brown
Acclaim
The Washington Post
Part of the difference is Noseda’s attentiveness to dynamic nuance, which now and then borders on a kind of musical photorealism... This is evident even in works we haven’t heard before, like “This Land” by Carlos Simon. The composer’s tenure in residence at the Kennedy Center has been a string of highlights — if there’s a predictable aspect to Simon’s music, it’s that it will reliably strive to surprise.
Part of the difference is Noseda’s attentiveness to dynamic nuance, which now and then borders on a kind of musical photorealism... This is evident even in works we haven’t heard before, like “This Land” by Carlos Simon. The composer’s tenure in residence at the Kennedy Center has been a string of highlights — if there’s a predictable aspect to Simon’s music, it’s that it will reliably strive to surprise.
Michael Andor Brodeur
Feature
I Care If You Listen
For composer Carlos Simon, music is a place where communities can come together. “I want people to be inspired,” he says about his compositions over Zoom. But he also sees music as an opportunity for artists to initiate conversations about social issues and the things that are happening in our world.
For composer Carlos Simon, music is a place where communities can come together. “I want people to be inspired,” he says about his compositions over Zoom. But he also sees music as an opportunity for artists to initiate conversations about social issues and the things that are happening in our world.
Vanessa Ague
Feature
Cap Radio
Simon’s “Requiem,” a giant 10-movement work, stands out from the rest of the pack. It’s a 21st-century rendering comprised of a chamber ensemble, an improvised trumpet, spoken word from hip-hop artist Marco Pave — Georgetown’s first hip hop artist in residence — hints of Gregorian Chant, and Simon on piano.
Simon’s “Requiem,” a giant 10-movement work, stands out from the rest of the pack. It’s a 21st-century rendering comprised of a chamber ensemble, an improvised trumpet, spoken word from hip-hop artist Marco Pave — Georgetown’s first hip hop artist in residence — hints of Gregorian Chant, and Simon on piano.
Jennifer Reason
Acclaim
Los Angeles Sentinel
Typically, an artist chooses his content. Occasionally, the content chooses her or him. Sometimes, the process is so fluid, organic and intuitive, it’s only discernible that the work was destined to be done. Carlos Simon’s musical debut,“Requiem for the Enslaved,” released on June 17, seems to fall into this category.
Typically, an artist chooses his content. Occasionally, the content chooses her or him. Sometimes, the process is so fluid, organic and intuitive, it’s only discernible that the work was destined to be done. Carlos Simon’s musical debut,“Requiem for the Enslaved,” released on June 17, seems to fall into this category.
Kimberly Shelby
Acclaim
Boston Globe
Saturday night’s concert opened with Carlos Simon’s “Motherboxx Connection,” an aptly chosen curtain-raiser for this all-American program... this confident, bright and rhythmically infectious music spoke for itself.
Saturday night’s concert opened with Carlos Simon’s “Motherboxx Connection,” an aptly chosen curtain-raiser for this all-American program... this confident, bright and rhythmically infectious music spoke for itself.
Jeremy Eichler
Acclaim
San Francisco Classical Voice
This composer and his music must be heard, not only because he speaks to important issues but because his music is deeply evocative.
This composer and his music must be heard, not only because he speaks to important issues but because his music is deeply evocative.
Jason Serinus
Acclaim
MusicWeb International
In Requiem for the Enslaved, art and integrity triumph over controversy. The beauty of Simon’s music and the straightforward, impassioned eloquence of Pavé’s delivery of the text he wrote serve as a fitting memorial to those held in bondage. The work also recasts those people as heroes, as human beings deprived of their freedom but not their dignity… as bittersweet as it is beautiful.
In Requiem for the Enslaved, art and integrity triumph over controversy. The beauty of Simon’s music and the straightforward, impassioned eloquence of Pavé’s delivery of the text he wrote serve as a fitting memorial to those held in bondage. The work also recasts those people as heroes, as human beings deprived of their freedom but not their dignity… as bittersweet as it is beautiful.
Rick Perdian
Feature
NPR
Carlos Simon is a young composer on the rise, with an ear for social justice. Simon's new album, Requiem for the Enslaved confronts Georgetown University's troubled past and its ownership of enslaved individuals.
Carlos Simon is a young composer on the rise, with an ear for social justice. Simon's new album, Requiem for the Enslaved confronts Georgetown University's troubled past and its ownership of enslaved individuals.
Tom Huizenga
Acclaim
Financial Times
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he is the Kennedy Center’s composer-in-residence and has some cinematically vivid and energizing music to his name.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he is the Kennedy Center’s composer-in-residence and has some cinematically vivid and energizing music to his name.
Richard Fairman
Acclaim
The Washington Post
If Simon has inherited any mission from his lineage, it appears to be a desire to build bridges between worlds, and use music to illuminate them.
If Simon has inherited any mission from his lineage, it appears to be a desire to build bridges between worlds, and use music to illuminate them.
Michael Andor Brodeur
Acclaim
OperaWire
“With additional textural influences of dark jazz, back-room blues, and film noir amour, Simon’s score could be described as hypnagogic (infra)vitalism.”
“With additional textural influences of dark jazz, back-room blues, and film noir amour, Simon’s score could be described as hypnagogic (infra)vitalism.”
John Vandevert
Acclaim
The Washington Post
“As the center’s composer-in-residence, Simon has been creating works that have been brightening up programs with their sheen and sensitivity, and “Fate” was no exception.”
“As the center’s composer-in-residence, Simon has been creating works that have been brightening up programs with their sheen and sensitivity, and “Fate” was no exception.”
Michael Andor Brodeur
Acclaim
New York Classical Review
“Simon’s gorgeous writing packs grit and grace together into a melodic line that carries unmistakable determination, a drive to realize itself, no matter what.”
“Simon’s gorgeous writing packs grit and grace together into a melodic line that carries unmistakable determination, a drive to realize itself, no matter what.”
George Grella
Feature
San Diego Union Tribune
“Music is a physical, tactile thing, releasing that energy out. I went to the keyboard and improvised. I didn’t think; I just let my feelings go. It’s therapy for me.”
“Music is a physical, tactile thing, releasing that energy out. I went to the keyboard and improvised. I didn’t think; I just let my feelings go. It’s therapy for me.”
Beth Wood