Role

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Ensemble

 

Ensemble für Neue Musik Zürich (ENMZ) is a contemporary classical music ensemble based in Zurich, Switzerland. The ensemble was founded in 1984 by a group of young musicians who were passionate about exploring new and experimental music. Since then, ENMZ has become one of the most prominent contemporary music ensembles in Switzerland and has gained international recognition for its innovative programming and high-quality performances. The founding members of ENMZ were flutist Matthias Ziegler, clarinetist Ernesto Molinari, pianist Rainer Boesch, and percussionist Christian Dierstein. These four musicians were all graduates of the Zurich University of the Arts and shared a common interest in contemporary music. They wanted to create a platform for themselves and other like-minded musicians to explore new and experimental music and to bring this music to a wider audience. Over the years, ENMZ has expanded its membership and now includes a core group of around 15 musicians, as well as guest performers for specific projects. The ensemble is known for its versatility and its ability to perform a wide range of contemporary music, from solo works to large-scale ensemble pieces. One of the highlights of ENMZ's early years was its collaboration with the composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. In 1986, Boulez conducted the ensemble in a performance of his own work, "Répons," at the Lucerne Festival. This performance was a major success and helped to establish ENMZ as a leading contemporary music ensemble. Since then, ENMZ has performed at many major festivals and concert series around the world, including the Donaueschingen Festival, the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, and the Venice Biennale. The ensemble has also collaborated with many prominent composers, including Helmut Lachenmann, Brian Ferneyhough, and Beat Furrer. ENMZ has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors for its contributions to contemporary music. In 1996, the ensemble was awarded the Swiss Music Prize, which is the highest honor for music in Switzerland. In 2004, ENMZ was awarded the Zurich Culture Prize, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cultural life of the city. One of ENMZ's most notable achievements was its performance of Karlheinz Stockhausen's "Klang" cycle. This cycle consists of 21 pieces, each of which is dedicated to a different hour of the day. ENMZ performed the entire cycle over the course of three days in 2011, in what was a major undertaking for the ensemble. The performances were highly acclaimed and cemented ENMZ's reputation as one of the leading contemporary music ensembles in Europe. ENMZ continues to be active in the contemporary music scene and is committed to promoting new and experimental music. The ensemble regularly commissions new works from emerging composers and collaborates with other artists and ensembles to create innovative and exciting performances. With its commitment to excellence and its passion for contemporary music, ENMZ is sure to remain a major force in the world of classical music for many years to come.

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