Role

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Ensemble

Genre

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Chamber

 

Synergy is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1999 by three musicians who shared a passion for chamber music. The founding members were pianist Paul Barnes, violinist Timothy Fain, and cellist Matt Haimovitz. The ensemble has since expanded to include other musicians, but these three remain the core members. Paul Barnes is a pianist who has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. He has recorded several albums, including a critically acclaimed recording of Philip Glass's piano music. Timothy Fain is a violinist who has performed with major orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has also collaborated with a number of contemporary composers, including Philip Glass and John Corigliano. Matt Haimovitz is a cellist who has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic. He is also known for his work in contemporary music, having commissioned and premiered works by a number of composers. The ensemble's name, Synergy, reflects its members' belief in the power of collaboration and the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The ensemble's repertoire includes works from the classical canon as well as contemporary pieces, and its performances often feature innovative programming that combines different styles and genres. One of the ensemble's early highlights was a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2001. The program included works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich, as well as a new work by Philip Glass that had been commissioned by the ensemble. The performance was well-received by both critics and audiences, and helped to establish Synergy as a major force in the world of chamber music. In 2003, the ensemble released its first album, titled "Synergy." The album featured works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich, as well as the new work by Philip Glass that had been premiered at the Kennedy Center. The album received critical acclaim and helped to further establish the ensemble's reputation. Over the years, Synergy has continued to perform at major venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, the Barbican Centre in London, and the Berlin Philharmonic. The ensemble has also collaborated with a number of other musicians and artists, including the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the choreographer Mark Morris. In 2010, the ensemble released a new album titled "Meeting of the Spirits." The album featured works by John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, and other jazz and fusion composers, as well as new arrangements of classical works by Bach and Ravel. The album was a departure from the ensemble's earlier recordings, but was well-received by critics and audiences alike. In addition to its performances and recordings, Synergy has also been recognized with a number of awards and honors. In 2005, the ensemble was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which is given to outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise for a career in classical music. The ensemble has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards, including Best Chamber Music Performance and Best Classical Crossover Album. Today, Synergy continues to be one of the most innovative and exciting ensembles in the world of classical music.

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