Role

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Ensemble

 

Ensemble Ascolta is a contemporary classical music group based in Stuttgart, Germany. The ensemble was founded in 1983 by a group of young musicians who were passionate about exploring new and experimental music. Over the years, the group has become one of the most respected and innovative ensembles in the contemporary classical music scene. The founding members of Ensemble Ascolta were Markus Stange (piano), Martin Fahlenbock (flute), and Mathias Tacke (violin). They were soon joined by other musicians, including Jörg Birkenkötter (clarinet), Dirk Rothbrust (percussion), and Christian Dierstein (percussion). The ensemble's name, "Ascolta," means "listen" in Italian, and reflects the group's commitment to exploring new sounds and ideas. In the early years, Ensemble Ascolta focused on performing works by contemporary composers, including Karlheinz Stockhausen, György Ligeti, and Helmut Lachenmann. The group quickly gained a reputation for their virtuosic performances and their willingness to take risks with new and challenging music. One of the highlights of Ensemble Ascolta's early career was their performance of Stockhausen's "Gruppen" at the 1985 Donaueschingen Festival. This piece, which requires three orchestras and three conductors, is considered one of the most challenging works in the contemporary classical repertoire. Ensemble Ascolta's performance was widely praised for its precision and energy, and helped to establish the group as a major force in the contemporary classical music scene. Over the years, Ensemble Ascolta has continued to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music, collaborating with composers and artists from around the world. The group has premiered works by composers such as Wolfgang Rihm, Georg Friedrich Haas, and Rebecca Saunders, and has worked with visual artists, dancers, and theater companies to create innovative and interdisciplinary performances. One of the most notable collaborations in Ensemble Ascolta's history was with the composer and multimedia artist Heiner Goebbels. In 1998, the group premiered Goebbels' "Surrogate Cities," a multimedia work that combines music, theater, and video. The piece was a critical and commercial success, and has since been performed around the world. Ensemble Ascolta has also been recognized for their recordings, which include works by Ligeti, Lachenmann, and Rihm. In 2003, the group won the German Record Critics' Award for their recording of Rihm's "Jagden und Formen." The recording was praised for its "virtuosity, precision, and intensity," and helped to cement Ensemble Ascolta's reputation as one of the leading contemporary classical ensembles in the world. In addition to their performances and recordings, Ensemble Ascolta is also committed to education and outreach. The group regularly works with young musicians and composers, offering workshops and masterclasses to help nurture the next generation of contemporary classical musicians. Today, Ensemble Ascolta continues to be a major force in the contemporary classical music scene. The group's commitment to innovation and experimentation has helped to push the boundaries of what is possible in classical music, and their virtuosic performances have earned them a devoted following around the world. With a rich history of collaboration and exploration, Ensemble Ascolta is sure to continue making waves in the contemporary classical music world for years to come.

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