A symphony in two movements, Richard Danielpour's "Celestial Night" is inspired by both the hustle of New York City and the serenity of the New Hampshire countryside. The first movement is an exciting and occasionally frightening experience, carried by the hearty choruses of the brass section, and is followed by a more serene second movement. The pairing of these two brings out a sense of wonderment in some achingly beautiful melodies.
The accompanying pieces also deal with the importance of New York in Danielpour's worldview. "Toward the Splendid City" was composed entirely away from the city, and Danielpour gave it his favorite memories. Nostalgia for the Beatles and the Big Apple account for the compositional style. Commissioned by the New York City Ballet, Urban Dances also celebrates the city that never sleeps. Originally conceived as a 24-hour cycle in the life of New York, the dance suite is an evocative example of work from a composer who loves New York almost as much as he loves music.