Sneak Peek: An interview with Gil Rose—on the 25th anniversary of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP)

In this podcast, Gil Rose shares his motivation behind starting BMOP:  wanting to create a musically interesting and worthwhile project focused on contemporary music that addressed the repetition of repertoire in large orchestras and  recreated the dynamic between composers, performers, and the audience that fostered a less institutionalized approach. Rose discusses his emphasis on flexibility and collaboration with other arts organizations and creating a great orchestra with exceptional free-lance musicians—a decision that allows BMOP to perform a wide range of repertoire, from 90-player orchestra pieces to smaller ensembles. Rose also talks about the critical aspect of fundraising and the challenges of sustaining BMOP and Odyssey, and the importance of grants, particularly those received from the National Endowment for the Arts which have provided integral support for a variety of projects, and whose endorsement acts as a seal of approval and often helps in raising money from other sources. Gil Rose also discusses the "As Told By" initiative, a five-year project commissioning, premiering, and recording opera works by black composers about black historical subjects. (The first opera premiered was "X:The Life and Times of Malcolm X " by Anthony Davis, the second scheduled for 2024 will be “Harriet Tubman” by Nkeiru Okoye—both received money from the arts endowment.) And finally, Rose reflects on BMOP's 25th anniversary, their many collaborations and partnerships, and their debut at Carnegie Hall, which received glowing reviews from The New York Times.