Philadelphia Inquirer: Mummers and sizzling Philly cheesesteaks get their Philadelphia Orchestra moment

By David Patrick Stearns

Suffering for art took on frigid new meaning for composer Tod Machover while creating his new symphony for the Philadelphia Orchestra. 
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His Philadelphia Voices couldn't possibly live up to its name without Machover experiencing the Mummers, so there he was at the parade on New Year's Day. Remember how cold it was? "My butt was frozen to the metal bleachers at the viewing stand," said the brainy, bushy-haired Machover. 

COURTESY PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
Composer Tod Machover at Pat’s King of Steaks, where he sampled the sound of sizzling cheesesteaks for his new piece, “Philadelphia Voices.”

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