Lido Pimienta Composes Score for New York City Ballet Orchestra

The Colombian-Canadian's commissioned work will soundtrack the NYCB's annual Fall Fashion Gala

Photo: Daniella Murillo

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Aug 19, 2021

Lido Pimienta will make her compositional debut next month with a commissioned score for the New York City Ballet Orchestra.

The Colombian-Canadian artist will perform her score alongside the ensemble as part of the NYCB's annual Fall Fashion Gala, taking place September 30, soundtracking a choreographer/designer collaboration between Andrea Miller and Esteban Cortázar.

Broadway World notes that Pimienta's work makes her the third-ever female compose to work with the NYCB, in addition to the second female composer in the company's history to write a comissioned score. She is also the NYCB's first-ever female composer of colour.

On Instagram, Pimienta thanked choreographer Miller "for TRUSTING ME with this beautiful collaboration we embarked on," and Owen Pallett for assisting with transcription and orchestration.

"We have more work ahead, but I know I am in the best hands," she wrote. "I am nervous to perform with a full orchestra but I have felt so welcomed by the conductor and the whole team at NYCB, I am honoured to take on this enormous challenge."

Last year, Pimienta released third album Miss Colombia, which landed among Exclaim!'s 50 Best Albums of 2020. Earlier this year, she reinterpreted Björk's "Declare Independence," which is one of our favourite cover songs of 2021 so far.

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