Biography
Noted for music that is "sophisticated and intriguing" (The Washington Post), Erich Stem has developed an expansive repertoire encompassing symphonic projects, chamber music, and interdisciplinary collaborations, earning distinction for a musical style described as “unique and beautiful”(Boston Theatre Review) and one that “breaks minimalism apart” (A Closer Listen).
Stem integrates music with other art forms in recent works like Shenandoah, a piece for orchestra commissioned by James Madison University that premiered in 2022 alongside a film featuring Louisville Ballet dancer, Ashley Thursby. This collaboration brought together music and movement to explore the rich natural beauty and history of the Shenandoah Valley. Similarly, Kayak for Marimba, Vibraphone, and Orchestra, commissioned by National Symphony Orchestra percussionist Scott Christian and the University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra (conductor, David Neely), further explores the experience of being connected to nature. Throughout his career, groups such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra have performed Stem’s orchestral works across the United States. His music has been praised for its evocative and colorful storytelling; as Nathan Faro of the American Record Guide writes, “The exciting Portland by Erich Stem stands above the rest of the works; it immerses the listener in a colorful impression of the West coast city, its culture and history.”
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His upcoming project, a large-scale symphonic work commissioned by Symphonicity, will portray the cultural landmarks and spirit of Virginia Beach, with one section incorporating the evocative words of Pulitzer Prize-winning Virginia poet Claudia Emerson. This composition will receive its world premiere on November 16, 2025, at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, serving as a highlight of Symphonicity's Voice of America tribute season in celebration of the United States’ semiquincentennial (250th anniversary). Beyond the concert hall, the project is envisioned as a lasting contribution to the cultural fabric of the city, with plans for a recording, a YouTube release, and podcast features to make the music accessible to audiences both locally and globally.
Chamber Music and Recordings
Stem’s chamber music has been performed extensively across the United States and internationally, with appearances in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Romania. His albums have been featured on radio broadcasts nationwide and highlighted on several prominent podcasts devoted to new music. His works are widely available on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Most recently, his re:CONNECT for clarinet duet debuted at the International Clarinet Association’s 50th Anniversary ClarinetFest and has since been performed internationally, including at the European Clarinet Congress in the Netherlands, with plans for a recording and release by the La Hermandad Duo and guest artists.
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