Bassett Bolcom Daugherty

Released in 2003 on the Equilibrium label, this recording showcases contemporary American orchestral works performed by The University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Kenneth Kiesler. The album serves as a definitive document of the university's composition faculty, featuring pieces by Leslie Bassett, William Bolcom, and Michael Daugherty. These composers represent significant figures in mid-to-late 20th-century American music, and the project highlights the academic rigor and creative vitality of the school's music department during that era.

The disc captures the technical prowess of a top-tier collegiate ensemble tackling complex, modern scores. Equilibrium, a label founded by Joel Blahnik and heavily associated with the University of Michigan's musical output, prioritized high-fidelity recordings of contemporary repertoire that might otherwise go underrepresented by major commercial labels. The album was well-received within academic and contemporary music circles for its professional execution and for providing a permanent record of these specific orchestral commissions.