After years of planning and patiently waiting, clarinetist Kinan Azmeh premiered my Clarinet Concerto in Southern Germany with the Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen under the direction of Fawzi Haimor. Kinan’s performance was stunning (as was his encore solo performance) and maestro Haimor gave a superb and focused performance with his excellent colleagues at the Württembergische Philharmonie… read more
Turn To The World: A Whitman Cantata • World-premiere reviews and photos
The Chicago Tribune wrote: “Nothing spotlights the Grant Park Music Festival’s value more significantly than the premieres it commissions, and an impressive one took place on Friday night. At first glance, “Turn to the World: A Whitman Cantata” – by composer-in-residence Kareem Roustom – might have suggested a look back at the 19th century ethos… read more
“Hurry To The Light” Premiere update
At Boston’s Jordan Hall this past Friday May 17th saw the premiere of a new work, Hurry To The Light, that was co-commissioned by the Grammy-nominated string orchestra A Far Cry and the women’s chorus Lorelei Ensemble. This work is based on a new translation by Emily Wilson of Homer’s The Odyssey . The Boston Globe… read more
Violin Concerto No. 1 Premiere update
Last Wednesday March 6 my Violin Concerto No. 1 had it’s premiere at the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin with soloist Michael Barenboim along with the Pierre Boulez Ensemble under the direction of Lahav Shani. The performance was electric, inspired and inspiring. Both the soloist and the ensemble played with fire and passion! [Also on… read more
Roustom Clarinet Concerto CD release is coming soon!
Congratulations to clarinetist Kinan Azmeh on the forthcoming February 8th European release of his new CD, Uneven Sky. This is quite an achievement as it included the recording of four large scale concertos, one of which was his own composition. The CD was recorded in Berlin with the fabulous Deutsches-Symhphonie Orchestre, as well as in Boston for… read more
2018 – 2020 Residencies
I am very honored to announce that I am now the composer-in-residence with the wonderful Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen . This residency began this past Saturday (December 1st, 2018) evening with an open rehearsal of my Ramal for orchestra, and followed by a sold out performance on Monday night. The residency will continue into the 2019 –… read more
“Hurry To The Light” for SSA & string orchestra
This last few months since June have been quite busy; Violin Concerto No. 1 has been completed and I’ve just completed a new work for women’s chorus and string orchestra. This work is based on text from a new translation by Emily Wilson of Homer’s The Odyssey. With the help of a friend I chose… read more
“Ramal” for orchestra at the Minnesota Orchestra: reviews
It was such a pleasure to visit Minneapolis for the first time. The warmth of the people I met as well as the absolutely fabulous Minnesota Orchestra has left me yearning for another visit soon. “Ramal” opened a program that featured John Adams’ Gnarly Buttons and Holst’s The Planets. About Ramal, Rob Hubbard of the St. Paul Pioneer Press… read more
Current Projects Update 9/5/2018
With a busy fall semester ahead I can now look back at a productive summer that included the completion of my Violin Concerto No. 1 and the premiere at the Grand Teton Music Festival of my String Quartet No. 1: Shades of Night. The GTMF musicians performed beautifully and I am eternally grateful to them… read more
Please don’t “like” and don’t “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter etc.
I’ve finally decided that it is time to disconnect from all social media. No FB, no Twitter, or any other platform. My reasons for doing so are varied but they include the reasons that have been discussed in public (from Cambridge Analytica and earlier). I also believe that these social media companies are, in essence,… read more
In memoriam Oliver Knussen
The news of Oliver Knussen’s untimely passing came to me last night via e-mail. I was deeply saddened to hear this as Knussen was only 66. As far as I’m concerned, Knussen (or ‘Olly’ to those who knew him), was one of the greatest composers, conductors and musical minds of his generation. His music moved… read more
Violin Concerto No. 1 – Update No. 1
My first violin concerto is commissioned by the Pierre Boulez Saal, through the Daniel Barenboim Foundation, for violinist Michael Barenboim and the Pierre Boulez Ensemble. It will premiere on March 6th, 2019 in Berlin at the Pierre Boulez Saal. Details about the concert are here. I began working on this new commission, in earnest, in mid-May,… read more