Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Consortium is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1995 by a group of musicians who shared a passion for chamber music. The ensemble is based in the United States and has gained a reputation for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. The founding members of Consortium were violinist Jennifer Koh, cellist Ani Aznavoorian, and pianist Reiko Uchida. All three musicians had already established themselves as soloists and chamber musicians before coming together to form the ensemble. They were joined by violist Hsin-Yun Huang in 1997, completing the quartet that has remained the core of Consortium ever since. From the beginning, Consortium set out to explore the full range of chamber music repertoire, from the classics of the 18th and 19th centuries to contemporary works by living composers. The ensemble's programming has always been characterized by a sense of adventure and a willingness to take risks, and this has earned them a devoted following among audiences and critics alike. One of Consortium's early highlights was their performance at the 1996 Mostly Mozart Festival in New York City. The ensemble's program included works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, as well as a contemporary piece by the American composer John Harbison. The performance was widely praised for its energy, precision, and musicality, and it helped to establish Consortium as a major force in the chamber music world. Over the years, Consortium has continued to push the boundaries of chamber music, commissioning new works from some of the most exciting composers of our time. These include Jennifer Higdon, Augusta Read Thomas, and Vijay Iyer, among others. The ensemble has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, from jazz musicians to dancers to visual artists, in order to create truly interdisciplinary performances. One of Consortium's most memorable performances was their 2005 concert at the Lincoln Center in New York City. The program included works by Schumann, Brahms, and the contemporary composer Osvaldo Golijov, as well as a new work by the jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran. The performance was hailed as a triumph of musical collaboration, with each member of the ensemble bringing their own unique voice to the music. In addition to their performances, Consortium has also been recognized for their recordings. The ensemble's debut album, released in 1998, featured works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Schumann, and was praised for its technical excellence and emotional depth. Since then, Consortium has released several more albums, including a recording of the complete Beethoven string quartets, which was hailed as a landmark achievement in the chamber music world. Consortium has received numerous awards and honors over the years, including a Grammy nomination for their recording of the Beethoven quartets. The ensemble has also been recognized for their commitment to education and outreach, with programs that bring chamber music to schools and communities across the country. Today, Consortium continues to be one of the most exciting and innovative chamber music ensembles in the world. With their commitment to new music, interdisciplinary collaborations, and adventurous programming, they are helping to redefine what chamber music can be in the 21st century.

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