Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

The Composers Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1969 by the British composer, conductor, and pianist John Woolrich. The ensemble is known for its innovative and adventurous programming, which often features contemporary works by living composers alongside more traditional repertoire. The founding of the Composers Ensemble was a response to the lack of opportunities for contemporary composers to have their works performed in public. Woolrich, who was then a student at the Royal College of Music in London, wanted to create a platform for new music that would showcase the work of his fellow composers. He assembled a group of like-minded musicians, including the violinist David Alberman, the cellist Alexander Baillie, and the clarinetist Antony Pay, and the ensemble gave its first concert in 1970. Over the years, the Composers Ensemble has had a rotating cast of members, but some of the musicians who have been associated with the group for long periods of time include the pianist Stephen Gutman, the flutist Susan Milan, and the oboist Melinda Maxwell. The ensemble has also collaborated with a number of prominent composers, including Harrison Birtwistle, Peter Maxwell Davies, and Oliver Knussen. One of the highlights of the Composers Ensemble's early career was its participation in the 1972 Proms, the annual series of classical music concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The ensemble performed a program of contemporary works by British composers, including pieces by Birtwistle, Davies, and Michael Finnissy. The concert was well-received by critics and helped to establish the Composers Ensemble as an important voice in the contemporary music scene. In the years that followed, the Composers Ensemble continued to perform and record new music by living composers, often commissioning works specifically for the ensemble. One notable example of this was the ensemble's collaboration with the composer Mark-Anthony Turnage, which resulted in the premiere of his chamber opera "Greek" in 1988. The opera, which was based on the story of Oedipus, was a critical and commercial success and helped to cement Turnage's reputation as one of the leading composers of his generation. Another highlight of the Composers Ensemble's career was its participation in the 1992 Aldeburgh Festival, an annual music festival held in the Suffolk town of Aldeburgh. The ensemble performed a program of works by Birtwistle, Davies, and Knussen, as well as a new work by the American composer Elliott Carter. The concert was recorded and released on CD, and received widespread critical acclaim. In addition to its performances and recordings, the Composers Ensemble has also been recognized with a number of awards and honors over the years. In 1990, the ensemble was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society's Chamber Music Award, in recognition of its contributions to the field of contemporary music. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous radio and television programs, including the BBC's "Proms" series and "Late Night Line-Up." Today, the Composers Ensemble continues to be an important voice in the contemporary music scene, performing and recording new works by living composers alongside more traditional repertoire. The ensemble's commitment to innovation and experimentation has helped to shape the course of contemporary classical music, and its legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians and composers.

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