Alan Pierson conducting Alarm Will Sound in music by Aphex Twin

Alan Pierson, Principal Conductor of Dublin’s Crash Ensemble, has been announced as the new Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Pierson, 36, is originally from Chicago, but is now based in New York City, where he is also Artistic Director and conductor of the chamber orchestra Alarm Will Sound. Speaking of his new appointment, Pierson said that Brooklyn is currently experiencing a renaissance. ‘Extraordinary things are happening everywhere,’ he said. ‘My goal is for the Brooklyn Philharmonic to connect with the Borough’s vast, unique population through events that celebrate and reflect its incredibly diverse communities, and to do so in a way that involves original music-making which will be of interest beyond Brooklyn as well.’

Pierson graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with degrees in Physics and Music, and from the Eastman School of Music with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting. He has appeared as guest conductor with ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Steve Reich Ensemble. Composers and performers he has worked with include the cellist Yo Yo Ma, composer Steve Reich, soprano Dawn Upshaw and the composer John Adams.

Founded in 1954, the Brooklyn Philharmonic is Brooklyn’s only professional orchestra, and is known for its extensive programming of contemporary music. Commenting on the orchestra’s new Artistic Director, Steve Reich said that Pierson was ‘an excellent choice to lead the Brooklyn Philharmonic in a new and original direction’.

www.brooklynphilharmonic.org