Family Photos

Boston | Juventas New Music Ensemble announces Family Photos. This program features music that reflects our multicultural nation. It will be presented on January 30, January 31, and February 1 at 7pm at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. 

Family Photos features works by Kian Ravaei, Derrick Skye, Jarod Tate, and Clarice Assad. These pieces are inspired by the richness of each composer’s heritage, celebrating the many cultures that shape our country. Through music, the concert traces each artist’s personal journey while inviting listeners to reflect on the diverse threads woven into our shared national story.

The concert borrows its title from Kian Ravaei’s piece, Family Photos, which is featured on the program. Ravaei is the son of Iranian immigrants and grew up in Los Angeles, CA. His music, which often blends Iranian classical music traditions with Western, reflects this heritage. Family Photos, which Ravaei describes as a “musical collage,” is inspired by significant places from the composer’s childhood including his neighborhood carnival, hometown of Arcadia, and Tehran, Iran, where he visited with his family. 

Juventas first encountered Ravaei’s work through a 2020 Call For Scores. Family Photos was selected as a winner and was performed as part of 2021’s Source Code concert. Of this performance, Ravaei states, “When I hear sensitive artists, like the Juventas musicians, nail every emotional nuance in my piece, I learn so much about composing, and an exciting new realm of expressive possibilities opens to me.” Since this initial connection, Juventas has programmed three more of Ravaei’s pieces and, with January’s concert, is performing Family Photos for the third time.

“Contemporary music deserves not only a premiere, but repeat performances as well,” says Juventas Artistic Director Oliver Caplan. “Many ensembles will premiere a piece, but we believe these works deserve to be heard again and again. At Juventas, a Call for Scores or a first performance is just the start of a long-term relationship with a composer.” 

To date, Juventas has performed the works of over 300 living composers.

Family Photos features performances by Juventas core musicians Ryan Shannon, Matthew Smith, and Lu Yu as well as guest artist Mina Lavcheva. 

Tickets are sold as half-table tickets, and each ticket admits up to two attendees. Half-table tickets are $60 for NEBG members and $75 for non-members. This event is designed to be an intimate experience with a smaller capacity, so tickets are limited. For more information visit https://www.juventasmusic.org/family-photos.