Role

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Ensemble

 

Brooklyn Rider is a classical music quartet that was formed in 2005. The group is composed of violinists Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen, violist Nicholas Cords, and cellist Michael Nicolas. The quartet is known for its innovative approach to classical music, blending traditional repertoire with contemporary works and collaborating with artists from a variety of genres. Brooklyn Rider was born out of a desire to create a new kind of classical music ensemble. The founding members, Gandelsman and Jacobsen, had been playing together since they were teenagers and had already established themselves as accomplished musicians. They were joined by Cords and Nicolas, both of whom had extensive experience playing in orchestras and chamber groups. The quartet quickly gained a reputation for its dynamic performances and innovative programming. They began to collaborate with a wide range of artists, including singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane, jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, and banjo player Béla Fleck. They also began to commission new works from contemporary composers, including Philip Glass, John Zorn, and Caroline Shaw. One of the highlights of Brooklyn Rider's early career was their performance at the 2008 Mostly Mozart Festival in New York City. The quartet performed a program of works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, as well as a new work by composer Lisa Bielawa. The performance was widely praised for its energy and virtuosity, and helped to establish Brooklyn Rider as one of the most exciting young ensembles in classical music. In 2010, Brooklyn Rider released their debut album, "Dominant Curve," which featured works by Beethoven, Bartók, and Philip Glass. The album received critical acclaim and helped to further establish the quartet's reputation as a group that was unafraid to take risks and push the boundaries of classical music. Over the years, Brooklyn Rider has continued to collaborate with a wide range of artists and composers. In 2013, they released an album with singer-songwriter Aoife O'Donovan, titled "The Brooklyn Rider Almanac." The album featured new works by a variety of composers, including Nico Muhly, Vijay Iyer, and O'Donovan herself. In 2015, Brooklyn Rider released an album titled "The Fiction Issue," which featured works by contemporary composers such as Colin Jacobsen, Gabriel Kahane, and Shara Nova. The album was inspired by the idea of storytelling, and each piece on the album was accompanied by a short story or poem. In addition to their work as a quartet, the members of Brooklyn Rider are also accomplished soloists and chamber musicians. Gandelsman and Jacobsen are both members of the Silk Road Ensemble, a group founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma that seeks to promote cultural exchange through music. Cords is a founding member of the string quartet Brooklyn Chamber Music Society, and Nicolas has performed with a variety of orchestras and chamber groups. Brooklyn Rider has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 2016, they were awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. The grant is awarded annually to young musicians who show exceptional talent and promise. In addition to their work as performers, Brooklyn Rider is also committed to music education and outreach.

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