Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

San Francisco Contemporary Music Players is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 1971 by a group of musicians who were passionate about contemporary music. The ensemble was created with the aim of promoting and performing new music by living composers, and to provide a platform for emerging composers to showcase their work. The founding members of the ensemble included flutist Karen Rosenak, clarinetist Peter Josheff, violinist Stuart Canin, cellist Bonnie Hampton, and pianist Jean-Louis LeRoux. Over the years, the ensemble has had a rotating cast of musicians, but has always maintained a core group of dedicated performers. One of the highlights of the ensemble's early years was their collaboration with composer John Cage, who was a frequent guest artist and collaborator. The ensemble also worked closely with other prominent composers of the time, including Lou Harrison, Terry Riley, and Morton Subotnick. In the 1980s, the ensemble began to expand their repertoire to include more international composers, and began to tour extensively throughout Europe and Asia. They also began to commission new works from a wider range of composers, including György Ligeti, Steve Reich, and John Adams. One of the ensemble's most notable performances was their 1992 concert at the Lincoln Center in New York City, where they performed works by Ligeti, Adams, and Harrison. The concert was widely praised by critics and helped to establish the ensemble as one of the leading contemporary music ensembles in the United States. Over the years, the ensemble has received numerous awards and accolades for their work, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council. They have also been recognized for their commitment to education and outreach, and have worked with numerous schools and community organizations to promote contemporary music. Today, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players continue to be a leading force in the world of contemporary classical music. They continue to commission new works from emerging and established composers, and to perform regularly throughout the United States and abroad. Their commitment to promoting new music and supporting emerging composers has helped to shape the contemporary classical music landscape, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians and composers.

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