Father-son Schwarz duo premieres Jennifer Higdon concerto for The Syracuse Orchestra
Apr 6, 2026
By Linda Loomis (Syracuse.com)
Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra and Cello, commissioned especially for cellist Julian Schwarz, will be performed by him and The Syracuse Orchestra on May 9. It will be conducted by his father, Gerard Schwarz.
It’s Higdon’s 17th concerto, but will be the first to involve a father and son collaboration.
“It’s absolutely unique,” Higdon said in a recent telephone conversation. “I can’t think of another instance of a commissioned work being performed with this musical combination.”
The concerto is having its world premiere in Upstate New York, with its second presentation taking place at Crouse Hinds Theater with The Syracuse Orchestra. Schwarz performed it with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in April, and additional performances with nationally acclaimed orchestras have already been booked.