Role

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Ensemble

 

The Austrian Society for Contemporary Music, also known as the Österreichische Gesellschaft für zeitgenössische Musik (ÖGZM), is a classical music ensemble that specializes in contemporary music. The ensemble was founded in 1952 by a group of composers and musicians who were interested in promoting and performing new music in Austria. The founding members of the ÖGZM included composers such as Friedrich Cerha, Karl Schiske, and Kurt Schwertsik, as well as musicians such as the pianist Jörg Demus and the conductor Hans Swarowsky. The ensemble was initially formed as a platform for composers to showcase their new works, but it quickly evolved into a full-fledged performing ensemble that has since become one of the most important contemporary music ensembles in Austria. Over the years, the ÖGZM has had a number of notable members, including the composer and conductor Peter Eötvös, the pianist and composer Friedrich Gulda, and the composer and conductor HK Gruber. The ensemble has also collaborated with a number of prominent composers and performers, including György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Pierre Boulez. One of the highlights of the ÖGZM's early years was its participation in the 1958 World Music Days festival in Cologne, Germany. The festival, which was organized by the International Society for Contemporary Music, featured performances by some of the most important contemporary music ensembles from around the world. The ÖGZM's performance at the festival was well-received, and it helped to establish the ensemble's reputation as a leading performer of contemporary music. In the years that followed, the ÖGZM continued to perform and promote new music in Austria and beyond. The ensemble has performed at a number of important festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, the Vienna Festival, and the Donaueschingen Festival. It has also toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. One of the ÖGZM's most notable performances was its 1970 premiere of Ligeti's opera "Le Grand Macabre" at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm, Sweden. The opera, which is now considered a masterpiece of contemporary music, was a major success, and it helped to establish Ligeti as one of the most important composers of the 20th century. In addition to its performances, the ÖGZM has also been involved in a number of educational and outreach programs. The ensemble has worked with schools and universities to promote contemporary music education, and it has also organized workshops and masterclasses for young composers and performers. Over the years, the ÖGZM has received a number of awards and honors for its contributions to contemporary music. In 2002, the ensemble was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, and in 2012, it received the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. Today, the ÖGZM continues to be a leading performer and promoter of contemporary music in Austria and beyond. The ensemble's commitment to new music and its dedication to education and outreach have helped to ensure that contemporary music remains a vital and important part of the classical music tradition.

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