(2008) Impressions
Duration: 15 minutes | Commissioned by The New Century Chamber Orchestra
Program Notes
IMPRESSIONS, Suite For Chamber Orchestra, was commissioned by the New Century Chamber Orchestra in 2008. Written originally for NCCOs as a season opener, the purpose of the piece was to showcase the orchestra’s performers’ diversity and uniqueness and create a musical portrait of the first impressions between the musicians of the orchestra and the composer herself. The first movement is a set of variations for each of the orchestra’s five sections. The second movement, Dança Brasileira, echoes Assad’s homeland. The film noirs of Hollywood inspired the middle movement, Slow Waltz, while Perpetual Motion, the fourth movement, showcases skill and proficiency. The last movement serves as a bridge, and the suite concludes by reflecting on its opening.
- Personas. Theme & Variations
- Fusion. Dança Brasileira
- Affection. Slow Waltz
- Precision. Perpetual Motion
- Unity. Coda
“Lushly film-score-ish, with echoes of black spirituals, dances from Brazilian salons of yore — and Vivaldi’s sunshine.“
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS ‘
“… brilliant and entertaining Impressions.” –
San Francisco Classical Voice
“Impressions is full of infectiously Brazilian high spirits and enveloping warmth.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Gorgeous … one of the more enjoyable new works I’ve heard in recent years.”
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
“… Dynamic, fresh.”
Stewart Oksenhorn, The Aspen Times
Performance History
Nov 7, 2019 — IMPRESSIONS Suite for Strings – ENSEMBLE URBAIN, Montreal, QB
2020
Jan 25, 2020 — IMPRESSIONS SUITE FOR STRINGS – Orchesterverein Wiedikon – Zurich, Switzerland
2021
Jul 11, 2021 — RIVER CITY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – IMPRESSIONS (Anglican Church) Livestream at facebook.come/rcorch
Jul 16, 2021 — IMPRESSIONS , SUITE FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Jul 18, 2021 — IMPRESSIONS, SUITE FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Oct 14, 2021 — IMPRESSIONS SUITE – Richmond Symphony Orchestra
2022
Mar 12, 2022 — IMPRESSIONS SUITE – Ashland Symphony Orchestra
Jul 9, 2022 — IMPRESSIONS, SUITE FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – Japan
Aug 3, 2022 — 2 IMPRESSIONS, SUITE FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – Japan
Nov 5, 2022 — IMPRESSIONS – ELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Nov 6, 2022 — IMPRESSIONS – ELGIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2024
Feb 24, 2024 — IMPRESSIONS, Suite For Chamber Orchestra | Reading, PA
Mar 9, 2024 — IMPRESSIONS, Suite For Chamber Orchestra | Fort Wane, Indiana
2025
Oct 3, 2025 — Sphinx plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 5, 2025 — Sphinx Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 8, 2025 — Sphinx Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 10, 2025 — Sphinx Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 19, 2025 — SPHINX plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 21, 2025 — Sphinx Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 22, 2025 — SPHINX Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Oct 25, 2025 — SPHINX Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
2026
Feb 19, 2026 — SPHINX Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Feb 21, 2026 — SPHINX Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Feb 24, 2026 — SPHINX Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Feb 26, 2026 — Sphinx Plays Assad.| IMPRESSIONS
Mar 5, 2026 — SPHINX Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Mar 11, 2026 — Sphinx Plays Assad | Impressions
Mar 12, 2026 — Sphinx Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Mar 15, 2026 — Sphinx Plays Assad | IMPRESSIONS
Compiled from the site’s events calendar and may not reflect every performance.