SYMPHONY IN D

Detroit is the birthplace of the Ford Motor Company, techno, coney dogs, Carhartt, and Motown. Its factories played a significant role in the Allied victory in World War II. While the city struggled as our American economy became more globalized, there is a renewed spirit of pride and financial investment. And Detroiters are tired of the negative comments and cruel jokes from people who have never been to their great city. So when New York composer Tod Machover came to town to construct a symphony based on the sounds of the city, they didn’t want it to portray them in a defeated light. After all, this is a city of survivors whose innovations throughout the years have had a vital impact on our country. Using an app, Machover pulled residents into the operation, asking them to send audio clips that represented their home. He used these to create an orchestral piece with help from Detroit musicians, poets, and the MIT Media Lab. SYMPHONY IN D captures the remarkable process, which results in a magnificent crescendo of sounds, each note providing proof of the resilience of this great American city. —E.F.