“This is a composer to watch.”
“Ra’s knack for expressive, virtuosic string writing came through…Each movement highlighted an aspect of the composer’s deeply held spirituality and the intercessory connection to God.”
-The Boston Musical Intelligencer
“James Ra’s music is coursing with adrenaline-pumping energy.”
- Star Ledger
“Ra’s Concerto Grosso No. 1 had a tremendous impact on the audience and was dramatically expressed.”
- Japan Times
“This is a composer to watch.”
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
“N.J. Symphony rings in Lunar New Year with riveting new piece…the biggest cross-cultural work on the program was brand new: For the first time, the New Jersey Symphony commissioned a piece to be premiered at the Lunar New Year Concert…Ra’s music is a jazzy riff on the coming of spring…Kwon gave the piece’s mix of what Zhang called “Korean soul and Rachmaninoff” plenty of intensity as well as a touch of Gershwin-like swing.
-NJ.com
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