Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

ASKO Ensemble is a Dutch classical music ensemble that was founded in 1985 by a group of young musicians who were passionate about contemporary music. The ensemble has since become one of the most renowned contemporary music ensembles in the world, known for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. The founding members of ASKO Ensemble were a group of musicians who had studied together at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. They were inspired by the contemporary music scene in Amsterdam at the time, which was vibrant and experimental. They wanted to create an ensemble that would focus on performing contemporary music, and that would be open to collaboration with composers and other artists. The original members of ASKO Ensemble were Reinbert de Leeuw (conductor and pianist), Hans Dullaert (clarinet), Marieke Schut (violin), Vera Beths (violin), Jellantsje de Vries (viola), Marien van Staalen (cello), and Gerard Bouwhuis (piano). Over the years, the ensemble has had many different members, but it has always maintained its commitment to contemporary music. ASKO Ensemble has performed all over the world, including at major festivals such as the Holland Festival, the Berliner Festspiele, and the Salzburg Festival. The ensemble has also collaborated with many renowned composers, including Louis Andriessen, György Ligeti, and Steve Reich. One of the highlights of ASKO Ensemble's career was its collaboration with composer Louis Andriessen on the opera "De Materie". The opera premiered in 1989 and was a huge success, receiving critical acclaim and winning several awards. The opera was later performed in New York, Paris, and London, cementing ASKO Ensemble's reputation as one of the leading contemporary music ensembles in the world. Another major highlight of ASKO Ensemble's career was its collaboration with composer György Ligeti. The ensemble performed Ligeti's "Piano Concerto" in 1990, which was a challenging and complex piece that required virtuosic playing from the ensemble. The performance was a huge success, and ASKO Ensemble went on to perform many other works by Ligeti over the years. ASKO Ensemble has also won many awards and accolades over the years. In 1991, the ensemble won the Dutch Music Prize, which is the highest honor that can be awarded to a musician in the Netherlands. The ensemble has also won several Edison Awards, which are prestigious awards for classical music in the Netherlands. In addition to its performances and collaborations with composers, ASKO Ensemble has also been involved in many educational and outreach programs over the years. The ensemble has worked with young musicians and composers, providing them with opportunities to learn and grow in the field of contemporary music. Today, ASKO Ensemble continues to be one of the leading contemporary music ensembles in the world. The ensemble is known for its innovative programming, virtuosic playing, and commitment to contemporary music. With its rich history and ongoing dedication to the art of contemporary music, ASKO Ensemble is sure to continue making an impact on the classical music world for many years to come.

More....