Barton Workshop is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been active since 1989. The ensemble is known for its innovative approach to contemporary music and its commitment to exploring new sounds and techniques. Over the years, Barton Workshop has become one of the most respected and influential ensembles in the world of contemporary classical music. The founding of Barton Workshop can be traced back to the early 1980s, when a group of young musicians in Amsterdam began experimenting with new forms of music. These musicians were interested in exploring the boundaries of classical music and incorporating elements of other genres, such as jazz and rock. They were also interested in working with composers to create new pieces that pushed the limits of traditional classical music. In 1989, this group of musicians officially formed Barton Workshop. The ensemble was named after the street in Amsterdam where they rehearsed, and it quickly gained a reputation for its innovative approach to contemporary music. The founding members of Barton Workshop included Frank Denyer, James Fulkerson, and John Anderson, all of whom were accomplished musicians and composers in their own right. Over the years, Barton Workshop has expanded its membership to include a diverse group of musicians from around the world. Today, the ensemble includes musicians from the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and Australia, among other countries. Despite its international membership, Barton Workshop remains based in Amsterdam and continues to be a major force in the Dutch music scene. One of the hallmarks of Barton Workshop is its commitment to working with composers to create new pieces of music. The ensemble has commissioned works from some of the most important composers of our time, including John Cage, Morton Feldman, and Christian Wolff. These collaborations have resulted in some of the most innovative and challenging pieces of contemporary classical music. Barton Workshop has also been recognized for its outstanding performances of contemporary classical music. The ensemble has performed at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the world, including the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, the Donaueschingen Festival, and the Venice Biennale. In addition, Barton Workshop has released numerous recordings of its performances, many of which have received critical acclaim. One of the highlights of Barton Workshop's career was its performance of John Cage's "Song Books" at the Holland Festival in 1991. This performance was a landmark event in the world of contemporary classical music, and it helped to establish Barton Workshop as one of the most important ensembles of its kind. The performance was also notable for its use of multimedia elements, including video projections and live electronics. Another notable performance by Barton Workshop was its collaboration with composer Michael Finnissy on the piece "The History of Photography in Sound." This piece, which was composed over a period of 20 years, is considered one of the most important works of contemporary classical music of the 20th century. Barton Workshop's performance of the piece was widely praised for its technical virtuosity and its ability to capture the complex and nuanced emotions of Finnissy's music.

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