Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Penn Contemporary Players is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1978 at the University of Pennsylvania. The ensemble was created with the aim of promoting contemporary classical music and providing a platform for emerging composers and performers. The founding members of the ensemble were a group of students and faculty members from the University of Pennsylvania's music department. The group was led by composer and conductor James Primosch, who served as the ensemble's artistic director for many years. Over the years, the ensemble has had a rotating cast of members, with many talented musicians and composers passing through its ranks. Some of the most notable members of the ensemble include pianist Marilyn Nonken, violinist Miranda Cuckson, and cellist Jay Campbell. One of the highlights of the ensemble's early years was its collaboration with the renowned composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. In 1981, Boulez conducted the ensemble in a performance of his own work, "Rituel in Memoriam Bruno Maderna," which was met with critical acclaim. In the years that followed, the ensemble continued to perform a wide range of contemporary classical music, including works by composers such as Elliott Carter, György Ligeti, and John Adams. The ensemble also commissioned and premiered many new works by emerging composers, including Jennifer Higdon, Augusta Read Thomas, and David Lang. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was its 1998 concert at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. The concert featured the premiere of James Primosch's "Dark the Star," a work for soprano and ensemble that was commissioned by the ensemble. The concert also included works by other contemporary composers, including John Harbison and George Crumb. In addition to its performances, the ensemble has also received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1999, the ensemble was awarded the ASCAP-Chamber Music America Award for Adventurous Programming. The award recognized the ensemble's commitment to performing contemporary classical music and commissioning new works. The ensemble has also been featured on numerous recordings, including a 2005 album of works by James Primosch, which was released on the Albany Records label. The album received critical acclaim and was praised for its innovative and engaging performances. Today, Penn Contemporary Players continues to be a leading ensemble in the world of contemporary classical music. The ensemble's commitment to promoting new works and emerging composers has helped to shape the landscape of contemporary classical music, and its performances continue to inspire and engage audiences around the world.

More....