During the 2020-21 season, Lecce-Chong led the Santa Rosa Symphony on an acclaimed series of recorded performances during the pandemic - streamed to music lovers around the world and featured on a local PBS series to millions of Bay Area viewers. As part of the season, Lecce-Chong brought in renowned composer, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, to be Artistic Partner and featured several of her works. It was through this collaboration, that Lecce-Chong laid the groundwork for the first commercial recording of the Santa Rosa Symphony in its 95 year history with the premiere recording of Zwilich’s Cello Concerto with Grammy-winner Zuill Bailey. Produced and released by industry titans, Five/Four Productions and Delos Records, the recording has been described as “exceptionally enjoyable, rich in diverse moods, glorious melodies, and catchy rhythms” (MusicWeb International) and “simply phenomenal” (Art Music Lounge), with Lecce-Chong praised for “his energy and sensitivity” (Fanfare).
More info here: https://delosmusic.com/recording/ellen-taaffe-zwilich-cello-concerto-other-works/
In the lead-up to the World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, Oregon in 2022, the Eugene Symphony commissioned David Schiff to compose a unique musical tribute to legendary local runner Steve Prefontaine, one of the most important figures in American running. Inspired by his legacy, the symphony Prefontaine celebrates his life, athleticism, and activism, incorporating the landscapes and memories of his hometown. From the drive to Coos Bay to his legendary high school years and iconic races, the work blends orchestral storytelling with themes of ambition and resilience. Closing the program, Andrea Reinkemeyer’s Water Sings Fire, a dynamic orchestral piece inspired by Leigh Bardugo’s feminist origin myth, explores themes of power, betrayal, and transformation, honoring the voices of the wronged and marginalized. Both works reflect the profound cultural impact of their subjects, blending music with the rich history and challenges they represent.
More info here: https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/david-schiff-prefontaine