Phish’s Trey Anastasio has announced plans to debut a new symphonic piece for guitar and orchestra, Petrichor, on his three-city West Coast run this fall. The show will premiere September 9 at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with the Oregon Symphony, then make its way to the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall on September 11 and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl on September 26. The shows will feature original compositions, as well as orchestral versions of Phish and Trey solo songs.
From the press release:
Anastasio began composing Petrichor November of 2012, while at rehearsals for the Broadway opening of Hands on a Hardbody, which he co-wrote the music for. In his spare moments, he began working out the melodies, using his iPhone to capture hundreds of voice memos. Over the course of two years, that early inspiration evolved into an intricate, thought-provoking opus. Anastasio will perform as a member of the orchestra, on electric guitar. Petrichor was orchestrated by Don Hart, who has collaborated with Anastasio on numerous classical projects.
From Anastasio:
“It’s always exciting to perform with an orchestra. When I get a handshake or a nod of the head from the concertmaster at the end of the show, it just gives me chills. I try to bring pieces that are going to be challenging and fun to play – pieces that spotlight the level of musical elegance that’s capable with an orchestra, that’s only capable with an orchestra.”
On the inspiration for the name:
“I love the concept that beautiful gifts come often wrapped in not-so-beautiful packages. The idea of a storm coming through – it’s a little scary and it’s a little dark, but after it’s over it leaves this beautiful scent of renewal. Sometimes a big storm is exactly what you need.”