“Bermel, who conducted the piece, writes sensitively for strings. The violins pour forth a long-limbed melody of quite stunning beauty. Beauty in motion is perhaps what “Murmurations” is all about. The audience Friday night gave it a standing ovation, a rare gesture for a new work. ”

“American composer Derek Bermel’s “Murmurations” is one of the most involving new works the SPCO has presented in some time, a deeply involving aural journey that’s meditative and exhilarating, sad and soothing. It’s a piece full of emotion and imagination, arresting melodies and relentless energy. The work simply soars.”

“…delightful and often intriguing. For the slow centerpiece, sweetly beautiful, a tender barcarolle and harmonies that are as artfully smeared as a watercolor.”

“Bermel’s imaginative harmonic progressions and shifting accent patterns elevate the seemingly simple finale [Murmurations] to a level of sophistication. The individual sections’ swooping scales seamlessly fit together.”