Christina Courtin
In the Interest of Communication
ensemble violin, cello
duration 7:35 minutes
written 2024
commissioned by Art of Elan
premiered February 23, 2025, San Diego, CA
For inquiries about this piece, please email the composer here.
About the Commission
Commissioned by Art of Elan for Kate Hatmaker and Alex Greenbaum, Christina Courtin's "In the Interest of Communication" explores the universal language of family life, particularly the dynamic between parents. The piece aims to capture the relatable chaos of daily routines, weaving together themes of exasperation with moments of tenderness and even humor. Courtin's composition gives voice to the often-unspoken frustrations of parenting, from the simmering "mom rage" to the constant pressure of time, creating a portrait of family life that is both intimate and improvisatory and universally resonant.
About Christina Courtin
Through all walks of musical life, violinist, vocalist and composer Christina Courtin has been deeply rooted in classical music from an early age. She studied violin at The Juilliard School and is a founding member of The Knights, a orchestral collective based in New York City. She has also been a collaborator and side(wo)man to many artists and groups, most recently including Conor Oberst, Bonnie Prince Billy, Chris Thile, Planetarium, Doyle Bramhall II, Le Ann Womack, Nico Muhly, Baaba Maal, Sara Barellies, and The Buffalo Philharmonic. Most recently she held the chair on the Broadway show by Sufjan Stevens called Illinoise playing violin, viola, singing, and percussion.
Miss Courtin has developed a style of singing and writing that has lended itself to many welcomed opportunities. She released her first solo self titled album in 2009 on Nonesuch records and most recently Situation Station was released in 2020 on In A Circle Records. She has sung with such artists as Yo- Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Teddy Thompson, Bernard Fowler, Brooklyn Rider, and The Orlando Philharmonic. Christina was most recently commissioned by the Virginia Symphony to write an orchestral and choral work for folk singer Aoife O'Donovan and is currently writing a piece for herself and The Knights that will be premiered at Carnegie Hall in May of 2025. There is another solo album in the works that is set to be released in the fall of 2025. Christina currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
