Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

The Group for Contemporary Music is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1962 by composer and conductor Harvey Sollberger. The ensemble was created with the goal of promoting and performing contemporary classical music, with a particular focus on works by American composers. The founding members of the ensemble included Sollberger himself, as well as pianist Charles Wuorinen, cellist Charles McCracken, and percussionist Raymond DesRoches. Over the years, the ensemble has had a rotating cast of members, but has always maintained a commitment to showcasing the best in contemporary classical music. One of the highlights of the Group for Contemporary Music's early years was their residency at Columbia University, which began in 1964. During this time, the ensemble performed a wide range of works by both established and emerging composers, including John Cage, Milton Babbitt, and Elliott Carter. In 1966, the Group for Contemporary Music made their Carnegie Hall debut, performing a program of works by American composers. This performance was well-received by both audiences and critics, and helped to establish the ensemble as a leading force in the world of contemporary classical music. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Group for Contemporary Music continued to perform and record a wide range of contemporary classical works. They also collaborated with a number of other artists and ensembles, including the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and the New York Philharmonic. One of the ensemble's most notable collaborations was with composer and performer John Zorn. In the 1980s, the Group for Contemporary Music performed a number of Zorn's works, including his "Cobra" and "Spillane" pieces. These performances helped to bring Zorn's unique blend of jazz, rock, and classical music to a wider audience. In addition to their performances and collaborations, the Group for Contemporary Music has also been recognized with a number of awards and honors over the years. In 1970, they were awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which helped to fund their performances and recordings. They have also been recognized with awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Today, the Group for Contemporary Music continues to perform and record contemporary classical works, with a particular focus on works by American composers. They have released a number of recordings over the years, including a series of albums on the Nonesuch label in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite the many changes in the world of classical music over the years, the Group for Contemporary Music has remained committed to their mission of promoting and performing the best in contemporary classical music. Their dedication to this goal has helped to make them one of the most respected and influential ensembles in the world of classical music today.

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