Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

The Cornell Contemporary Singers is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1968 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The group was established by a group of students who were interested in exploring contemporary choral music and pushing the boundaries of traditional choral performance. The founding members of the Cornell Contemporary Singers included David Willner, David Griggs-Janower, and Robert Isaacs. Willner served as the group's first conductor, while Griggs-Janower and Isaacs were both members of the ensemble. The group's initial focus was on performing contemporary choral works, including pieces by composers such as György Ligeti, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Luciano Berio. Over the years, the Cornell Contemporary Singers has had a rotating cast of members, with new singers joining the group each year. However, the ensemble has maintained a commitment to performing challenging and innovative choral works, and has become known for its unique sound and style. One of the highlights of the Cornell Contemporary Singers' early years was their performance of Ligeti's "Lux Aeterna" in 1972. This piece, which features complex harmonies and dissonant chords, was a challenging work for the group to master. However, their performance was widely praised, and helped to establish the ensemble as a leading group in the world of contemporary choral music. In the years that followed, the Cornell Contemporary Singers continued to push the boundaries of choral performance, experimenting with new techniques and styles. They performed works by a wide range of composers, including John Cage, Steve Reich, and Arvo Pärt. One of the group's most notable performances came in 1990, when they performed a concert of works by the Estonian composer Veljo Tormis. Tormis, who is known for his use of traditional Estonian folk music in his compositions, was in attendance at the concert, and was reportedly impressed by the group's interpretation of his works. In addition to their performances, the Cornell Contemporary Singers has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1986, the group was awarded the Grand Prix at the International Choral Competition in Tolosa, Spain. They have also been featured on several recordings, including a 1994 album titled "The Music of Arvo Pärt." Today, the Cornell Contemporary Singers continues to be a leading ensemble in the world of contemporary choral music. The group is currently led by conductor Robert Isaacs, one of the ensemble's founding members. They continue to perform challenging and innovative works, and are known for their unique sound and style.

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