The cello is a fantastic instrument to work with, said Leshnoff. Some instruments are more limited, but the cello has so much freedom. It can scream, it can cry, it can sing, it can dance and it can whisper. The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia commissions a new work for each Spring, and in 2013 they chose to commission Jonathan Leshnoff. In turn, Leshnoff was able to work with the exciting international talent Nina Kotova for the premiere performance under the direction of Dirk Brossé at Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
