Peter Bay
Solo Symphony
Inspired by conductor Leonard Bernstein, Peter Bay knew he wanted to be a pursue a career in music since the age of 9. He been a music director for over 40 years and has served as Music Director and Conductor for the Austin Symphony Orchestra since 1998.
In 2012 and again in 2020, Peter co-created and performed in Solo Symphony, a dance inspired by the virtuosic movement of symphonic conducting choreographed by Forklift Danceworks choreographer Allison Orr. Accompanied by thirteen musicians performing an original score by Graham Reynolds, Solo Symphony features both organic conducting and choreographed movements based abstractly on Bay’s conducting gestures. The piece also includes audio from Orr’s interviews with Bay, providing a memoir-style look into Bay’s love of music and passion for conducting.
“People don’t go into music to make money. People go into music to make music.”
Orr and Bay sat down recently for a conversation about their collaboration, the role of movement in the work of conducting an orchestra, and the music Peter dreams of one day conducting. Listen to their full conversation above and check out the video for a glimpse into Solo Symphony.
On the Job: 20 Portraits from 20 Years highlights the work of twenty people who have collaborated and performed with Forklift Danceworks. Featuring new interviews between Forklift choreographers and our collaborators, the series shares the voices and experiences of people whose work sustains our communities.
New portraits will be released each month, so follow us on Facebook and Instagram to meet more Forklift performers throughout the year!
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
