Pianist Orli Shaham and members of Pacific Symphony release “American Tapestry” on February 13, 2026
Album of chamber music by living Americans includes world premiere recordings of commissioned works by Avner Dorman and Margaret Brouwer; and music by Jessie Montgomery, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Viet Cuong, Reena Esmail, Peter Dayton, and Ari Barack Fisher
The pianist Orli Shaham has been the curator, host, and pianist of Pacific Symphony’s Cafe Ludwig chamber music series for nearly two decades. A new album, released February 13, 2026 is the product of her long relationship with the musicians of the symphony, which is based in Southern California.
“American Tapestry” demonstrates the diversity of concert music by living composers in the United States – a virtual portrait of America. The collection features world premiere recordings by leading American composers: Margaret Brouwer, Jessie Montgomery, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Avner Dorman, Viet Cuong, Reena Esmail, Peter Dayton, and Ari Barack Fisher. The works by Dorman and Brouwer were commissioned by Pacific Symphony and are world premiere recordings.
The album fulfills a long-standing dream of Orli Shaham’s. “I have been privileged to play with the brilliant musicians of Pacific Symphony for eighteen years now,” said Shaham. “In that time, we have grown together as we’ve vanquished difficult repertoire in the rehearsal room, luxuriated in our sound on the Samueli stage, and shared Din Tai Fung between rehearsals. We trust and rely on each other’s musicianship. For years, I have wanted to create a recording that documents these extraordinary musical connections, and I am thrilled that we now have this album to share with the world.”
Along with Shaham, the recording features Richard Cassarino, bass; Meredith Crawford, viola; Tony Ellis, trumpet; Warren Hagerty, cello; Dennis Kim, violin; Joshua Ranz, clarinet; and Benjamin Smolen, flute.
Contact ClassicalCommunications@gmail.com to request a physical CD or digital copy of “American Tapestry."