Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

The New Music Quartet is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1971 by four musicians who shared a passion for contemporary music. The quartet's founding members were violinist Leonard Sorkin, violist Lois Martin, cellist Marcy Rosen, and pianist Peter Serkin. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances, and it has since become one of the most respected and influential chamber music groups in the world. The New Music Quartet's repertoire is focused primarily on contemporary classical music, with a particular emphasis on works by living composers. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered numerous new works over the years, and it has collaborated with many of the most important composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Some of the composers who have worked with the New Music Quartet include Elliott Carter, George Crumb, John Harbison, György Ligeti, and Steve Reich. One of the New Music Quartet's most notable achievements was its recording of the complete string quartets of Elliott Carter, which was released on the Nonesuch label in 1990. The recording was widely praised for its technical precision and interpretive insight, and it helped to establish the quartet as one of the leading interpreters of contemporary music. The ensemble has also recorded works by other important composers, including George Crumb's Black Angels and John Harbison's String Quartet No. 3. In addition to its recordings, the New Music Quartet has performed extensively throughout the world, appearing at major concert halls and festivals in Europe, Asia, and North America. The ensemble has also collaborated with many other musicians and ensembles, including the Guarneri Quartet, the Emerson Quartet, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Over the years, the New Music Quartet has received numerous awards and honors for its contributions to contemporary classical music. In 1983, the ensemble was awarded the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, which is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of chamber music. The quartet has also been recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Despite its many achievements, the New Music Quartet has also faced its share of challenges over the years. In 1996, pianist Peter Serkin left the ensemble to pursue other projects, and he was replaced by pianist Stephen Prutsman. The quartet also experienced financial difficulties in the early 2000s, which led to a hiatus in its activities. However, the ensemble regrouped in 2006 and has continued to perform and record new music to this day. Today, the New Music Quartet is recognized as one of the most important and influential ensembles in the world of contemporary classical music. Its commitment to new music and its virtuosic performances have inspired countless composers and musicians, and its legacy will continue to shape the future of classical music for generations to come.

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