Michael Shapiro conducts The Chappaqua Orchestra next season in concerts devoted to the world premiere of his Harp Concerto (performed by Anna Reinersman) and music by Beethoven, Debussy, Virgil Thomson, Charles Ives, and gospel song.

Michael Shapiro's film scores for a provocative new NBC television crime show will air prime-time nationally next Winter.  His Eliahu Hanavi Variations for solo violoncello performed by Boston Symphony Orchestra cellist Sato Knudsen has been issued on Volume 10 of the Milken Archive of Jewish American music (visit Milken Archive link). In addition, Michael Shapiro’s Peace Variations for solo violin has been recorded for the Milken Archive by violinist Timothy Fain and will be issued later this season on Paumanok Records.

Last Summer, Michael Shapiro was a composer-in-residence at The Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music where his Roller Coasterreceived its West Coast premiere conducted by Marin Alsop. 

About Roller Coaster, the Santa Cruz Sentinel said:
“The music, a fitting mix of chaotic motion and suspenseful stasis, included the mechanical ratcheting and clattering of the amusement park ride, as it took us on a short, exhilarating trip.”

Michael Shapiro is currently working on his Second Symphony and a new piano concerto Archangel commissioned by the celebrated virtuoso Jeffrey Biegel and a consortium of orchestras worldwide which will be premiered in 2012.