Role

:

Ensemble

Country

:

Canada

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (NEM) is a Canadian classical music ensemble that was founded in 1989 by conductor and composer Lorraine Vaillancourt. The ensemble is known for its innovative and contemporary approach to classical music, and has become one of the most respected and influential ensembles in Canada and around the world. The founding of NEM was the result of Vaillancourt's desire to create a new kind of classical music ensemble that would focus on contemporary music and the works of living composers. She wanted to create a space where composers could experiment with new sounds and ideas, and where audiences could experience the cutting edge of classical music. Vaillancourt assembled a group of talented musicians from across Canada to form the ensemble, and they began rehearsing and performing together in Montreal. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for their innovative and challenging performances, and they began to attract attention from audiences and critics alike. Over the years, NEM has grown and evolved, but their commitment to contemporary music has remained constant. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered hundreds of new works by composers from around the world, and they have collaborated with some of the most important composers of our time, including Pierre Boulez, John Cage, and Steve Reich. One of the key members of NEM is Lorraine Vaillancourt herself. Vaillancourt is a highly respected conductor and composer, and she has been the driving force behind the ensemble since its founding. She has conducted the ensemble in countless performances and recordings, and has been instrumental in shaping the ensemble's unique sound and approach to music. Another important member of NEM is flutist and composer Robert Aitken. Aitken has been a member of the ensemble since its founding, and has been a key collaborator with Vaillancourt in commissioning and performing new works. He has also been a mentor to many of the younger members of the ensemble, and has helped to shape the ensemble's sound and approach to music. Other notable members of NEM include percussionist and composer Michel Gonneville, clarinetist and composer Jean Derome, and cellist and composer Isabelle Bozzini. These musicians, along with many others who have been a part of the ensemble over the years, have helped to create the unique sound and style of NEM. NEM has performed at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Berliner Festspiele, and the Festival d'Automne in Paris. They have also collaborated with some of the most important orchestras and ensembles in the world, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. One of the highlights of NEM's career was their performance at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The ensemble was invited to perform at the opening ceremony of the games, and they performed a piece by Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer that was specifically commissioned for the occasion. The performance was widely praised for its innovative and contemporary approach to classical music, and helped to bring NEM to a wider audience. NEM has also been the recipient of numerous awards and honors over the years. In 1999, they were awarded the Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal, which is one of the most prestigious arts awards in Canada.

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