Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Symposium Musicum is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2005 by a group of talented musicians who shared a passion for performing and promoting classical music. The ensemble is based in New York City and has gained a reputation for its exceptional performances and innovative programming. The founding members of Symposium Musicum were violinist Sarah Chang, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Lang Lang, and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. These musicians were all highly respected in the classical music world and had already achieved significant success in their individual careers. However, they saw an opportunity to collaborate and create something new and exciting. The ensemble's name, Symposium Musicum, reflects its mission to bring together musicians from different backgrounds and cultures to create a diverse and dynamic musical experience. The group's repertoire includes works from a wide range of composers and styles, from Baroque to contemporary. One of the highlights of Symposium Musicum's early years was its debut performance at Carnegie Hall in 2006. The ensemble received critical acclaim for its performance of Beethoven's Triple Concerto, which featured Chang, Ma, and Lang as soloists. The concert was also notable for its inclusion of works by lesser-known composers, such as the African-American composer William Grant Still. Over the years, Symposium Musicum has continued to push the boundaries of classical music performance. In 2010, the ensemble collaborated with the hip-hop group The Roots for a performance at the Lincoln Center. The concert, which was titled "Classical meets Hip-Hop," featured a fusion of classical music and hip-hop beats, and was a huge success with audiences. Symposium Musicum has also been recognized for its commitment to education and outreach. The ensemble has worked with schools and community organizations to bring classical music to underserved communities. In 2015, the group launched a program called "Music for All," which provides free music lessons and instruments to children in low-income neighborhoods. In addition to its performances and outreach work, Symposium Musicum has also received numerous awards and accolades. The ensemble was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance in 2008 for its recording of Brahms' Piano Trio No. 1. The group has also been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the MacArthur Foundation for its contributions to the arts. Today, Symposium Musicum continues to be a leading force in the classical music world. The ensemble's current members include violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, pianist Yuja Wang, and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. The group's performances are known for their energy, passion, and technical excellence, and its innovative programming continues to attract new audiences to classical music.

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