ARTS&LIFE MUSIC
Young Composer
Jonah Cohen mentors other young musicians as he looks forward to hearing his commissioned work performed live. SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
J
onah Cohen likes to hum but not just melodies heard on recordings or performed on stages. Often, core melodies originate in his own mind, and he hums away while developing them into full compositions. Working with instruments and composing software, the 17-year-old senior at Interlochen Arts Academy has earned significant recognition for pieces he created. “Vis Viva,” an example written for orchestra, was selected a winner in the Young Composers Challenge and will be recorded by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra before its performance at the NYCC Composium in April. “Hineni,” an example of a piece for cello choir, was inspired during Temple Israel services and elevated him to Merit Winner in Classical Music by the National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists in the organization’s YoungArts programming.
52
|
FEBRUARY 3 • 2022
