Role

:

Ensemble

 

Montage Music Society is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2005 in Seattle, Washington. The group is known for its innovative programming and its commitment to performing works by contemporary composers alongside more traditional repertoire. The founding members of Montage Music Society were flutist Jeffrey Cohan, cellist Caroline Nicolas, and pianist Oana Rusu Tomai. All three musicians had extensive experience performing in other ensembles and were drawn together by their shared passion for exploring new and lesser-known works. From the beginning, Montage Music Society set out to challenge the conventions of classical music performance. Rather than simply playing the same well-known pieces that audiences had heard countless times before, the group sought out works that were more obscure or experimental. They also made a point of commissioning new works from contemporary composers, often collaborating with them directly to ensure that the pieces were performed as the composers intended. One of the highlights of Montage Music Society's early years was their performance of Olivier Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time" in 2006. This piece, which was composed while Messiaen was a prisoner of war during World War II, is known for its haunting beauty and its unusual instrumentation (clarinet, violin, cello, and piano). Montage Music Society's performance was widely praised for its sensitivity and emotional depth. Over the years, Montage Music Society has continued to push the boundaries of classical music performance. They have performed works by a wide range of composers, from J.S. Bach to John Cage, and have collaborated with artists from other disciplines, such as dancers and visual artists. One of the group's most notable collaborations was with the Seattle-based dance company Whim W'Him. In 2012, Montage Music Society performed live accompaniment for Whim W'Him's production of "Approaching Ecstasy," a contemporary dance piece set to music by composer Eric Banks. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and helped to cement Montage Music Society's reputation as a group that was willing to take risks and experiment with new forms of artistic expression. In addition to their performances, Montage Music Society has also been recognized for their contributions to the classical music community. In 2010, they were awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support their commissioning of new works by contemporary composers. They have also been featured on numerous radio programs and have been invited to perform at festivals and concert series across the United States and Europe. Today, Montage Music Society continues to be a leading voice in the world of classical music. The group's current members include Jeffrey Cohan (flute), Caroline Nicolas (cello), and pianist Fredricka King. They remain committed to exploring new and innovative ways of presenting classical music, and to bringing the works of contemporary composers to a wider audience.

More....