Commissioning and New Music
David Hattner’s work with living composers has been a central part of his artistic life for more than two decades. His programming has resulted in approximately 45 commissioned works and more than 60 world, national, and regional premieres, ranging from major orchestral works to music created specifically for young musicians.
These projects have developed through long-term relationships with composers, collaborations with performers and ensembles, and a commitment to giving new music a life beyond its premiere. Many of the works Hattner has commissioned or introduced have subsequently received additional performances, recordings, and wider circulation.
Collaborating with Living Composers
Hattner’s commitment to new music extends throughout his tenure with the Portland Youth Philharmonic and includes commissions, world premieres, American premieres, and first performances of new orchestral versions. These projects have ranged from concertos and symphonic works to music created for unusual combinations of performers, often developing through direct collaboration with the composers.
David Hattner rehearses with clarinetist David Shifrin and the Portland Youth Philharmonic in James Stephenson’s Clarinet Concerto, co-commissioned by PYP.