Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

The Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1954 in New York City. The ensemble was established with the aim of promoting contemporary classical music and providing a platform for emerging composers to showcase their work. Over the years, the ensemble has become one of the most respected and influential contemporary music groups in the United States. The founding members of the Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society were a group of young musicians who were passionate about contemporary classical music. They included the composer and pianist Charles Wuorinen, the flutist Harvey Sollberger, the clarinetist Raymond DesRoches, the violinist Paul Zukofsky, and the cellist Fred Sherry. These musicians were all students at Columbia University and the Juilliard School, and they shared a common interest in exploring new and innovative approaches to classical music. In the early years of the ensemble, the Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society performed in small venues around New York City, including churches, community centers, and art galleries. They played a wide range of contemporary classical music, including works by composers such as John Cage, Elliott Carter, and Milton Babbitt. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for their virtuosic performances and their commitment to promoting new and challenging music. One of the highlights of the early years of the ensemble was their performance of John Cage's "Concert for Piano and Orchestra" in 1958. This was a groundbreaking work that challenged traditional notions of music and performance, and the Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society were one of the first groups to perform it in the United States. The performance was a critical success and helped to establish the ensemble as a leading force in contemporary classical music. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society continued to push the boundaries of classical music. They collaborated with a wide range of composers, including George Crumb, Morton Feldman, and Karlheinz Stockhausen, and performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. The ensemble also began to tour internationally, performing in Europe, Asia, and South America. One of the most significant performances in the history of the ensemble was their 1972 performance of Stockhausen's "Gruppen" at the Berlin Festival. This was a massive work that required three orchestras and was considered one of the most challenging pieces of contemporary classical music ever written. The Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society performed the work with two other ensembles, the London Sinfonietta and the Ensemble InterContemporain, and the performance was a critical and popular success. Over the years, the Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society has undergone several changes in membership. However, the ensemble has always maintained its commitment to promoting contemporary classical music and providing a platform for emerging composers. Some of the notable members of the ensemble over the years have included the pianist Ursula Oppens, the violinist Ani Kavafian, and the cellist Fred Sherry. In addition to their performances, the Players of the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society has also been involved in several educational initiatives.

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