Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

United States of America

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Speculum Musicae is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1971 by Joel Sachs and Charles Wuorinen. The ensemble is known for its performances of contemporary classical music and has been praised for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. Joel Sachs, the co-founder and artistic director of Speculum Musicae, is a pianist and conductor who has been a champion of contemporary classical music throughout his career. He has worked with many of the leading composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Elliott Carter, Milton Babbitt, and John Cage. Sachs has also been a professor of music at the Juilliard School since 1984. Charles Wuorinen, the other co-founder of Speculum Musicae, was a composer and pianist who was known for his avant-garde approach to music. Wuorinen won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1970 for his composition "Time's Encomium," and he continued to be a prolific composer until his death in 2020. The ensemble's name, Speculum Musicae, is Latin for "mirror of music," and reflects the group's mission to reflect the diversity and complexity of contemporary classical music. The ensemble has performed works by a wide range of composers, from the experimental works of John Cage to the more traditional compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Over the years, Speculum Musicae has had a rotating cast of musicians, but some of the main members have included flutist Harvey Sollberger, clarinetist Charles Neidich, violinist Curtis Macomber, and cellist Fred Sherry. These musicians are all highly respected performers in their own right and have been praised for their technical skill and musical sensitivity. One of the highlights of Speculum Musicae's career was their performance of Elliott Carter's "Double Concerto" at the Library of Congress in 1978. The piece, which was written specifically for the ensemble, features a complex interplay between the soloists and the ensemble, and has been hailed as a masterpiece of contemporary classical music. Another notable performance by Speculum Musicae was their 1993 concert at the Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, which featured works by Milton Babbitt, Charles Wuorinen, and John Cage. The concert was praised for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances, and helped to cement the ensemble's reputation as one of the leading interpreters of contemporary classical music. Speculum Musicae has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors over the years. In 1982, the ensemble was awarded the ASCAP-Chamber Music America Award for Adventurous Programming, and in 1993 they received the Ditson Conductor's Award for their contributions to contemporary classical music. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous recordings, including a series of CDs on the Bridge Records label. In conclusion, Speculum Musicae is a classical music ensemble that has been at the forefront of contemporary classical music for over 50 years. Founded by Joel Sachs and Charles Wuorinen, the ensemble has been praised for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances, and has worked with many of the leading composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. With a rotating cast of highly skilled musicians, Speculum Musicae continues to be a vital force in the world of contemporary classical music.

More....