The Phoenix Symphony will launch the inaugural presentation of REVERB: A Contemporary Music Festival, which celebrates newly composed music through the eyes (and ears) of 12 of contemporary classical music’s most respected living composers and performers in two concerts.

The performances will take place over two evenings on Wednesday, April 6 and and Friday, April 8, at Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m.

Virginia G. Piper Music Director Tito Muñoz will lead the Phoenix Symphony in both programs featuring the works of curators Christopher Cerrone and Daniel Bernard Roumain. The April 6 performance will feature the world premiere of Cerrone’s “The Age of Wire and String.”

“REVERB I” on April 6 will feature Cerrone’s program, and “REVERB II” on April 8 will feature Roumain’s program.

Cerrone’s recent commissions include “In a Grove,” a new opera co-produced by LA Opera and Pittsburgh Opera, a violin concerto for Jennifer Koh and the Detroit Symphony, an antiphonal brass concerto for the Cincinnati Symphony, a piano concerto for Shai Wosner and the Phoenix and Albany Symphonies; a percussion concerto for Third Coast Percussion; and three works for the LA Philharmonic.

His first opera, “Invisible Cities,” based on Italo Calvino’s novel, was a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize and he has earned multiple Grammy nominations.

Roumain has worked with artists from Philip Glass to Bill T. Jones to Lady Gaga; has appeared on NPR, “American Idol” and ESPN; and has collaborated with the Sydney Opera House and the City of Burlington, Vermont. The acclaimed violinist and activist is currently Institute Professor and Professor of Practice At Arizona State University.

“These performances will spotlight some of the finest new musical compositions of the modern day while paying homage to the masters of the past,” Muñoz shared in a statement. “REVERB promises to be an exciting and invigorating celebration of the best modern works in music, brought to life by exceptionally talented artists and musicians.”

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The Phoenix Symphony was founded in 1947. Its 75th Anniversary season comes on the heels of the cancellation of the 2020-21 season.