WCMS "American Composers" 2: Freya Downey, composer/violist

As part of our American Composers season Freya Downey, composer/violist will perform her own compositions as well as music by Leilehua Lanzilotti who was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in music in 2022. Quinlan Facey, pianist, will collaborate on these works as well as the Shostakovich violin sonata.

More about Freya Downey: Freya Downey, violist, advocates for mindfulness, accessibility, and creativity in classical music through classical performance, improvisation, and composition. As a soloist, her most recent performances include a solo debut at Carnegie Hall, a solo recital entitled “All is Well,” the premiere of her improvisation-based viola concerto, a faculty recital at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and solo improvisations at the Transporter Series in Boston, MA.

She has held principal positions in the Boston University Symphony Orchestra, Boston University Chamber Orchestra, and Baylor University Symphony Orchestra. She has held other orchestral positions with the Boston Philharmonic, Waco Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. She maintains an active collaborative life, and performs solo, chamber music and with large ensembles in the Boston, MA area regularly.

As a composer, Freya’s goal is to write music for the viola that feels authentic and genuine. She strives to connect people, create community, create opportunity, make art music more accessible, and provide concert experiences that inspire deep listening.