ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble)
New article name is ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble)
ACME (American Contemporary Music Ensemble) is a performing and recording new music ensemble based in New York City. The ensemble is dedicated to the performance of 20th and 21st century music, and aims to present [...] edge contemporary literature by living composers alongside established contemporary composers.
Biography
ACME was founded in 2004 by cellist Clarice Jensen. Core ACME members include violinists Miranda Cuckson; Caleb Burhans; Yuki Numata, and Benjamin Russell; violist Nadia Sirota; cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen; flutist Alex Sopp, clarinetist Gilad Harel; pianist Eric Huebner; and percussionist Chris Thompson.
Repertoire and Performances
Since its first New York concert season in 2004, the ensemble has performed works by John Adams; Louis Andriessen; John Cage; Elliott Carter; George Crumb; Jacob Druckman; Jefferson Friedman; Charles Ives; Donald Martino; Olivier Messiaen; Nico Muhly; Steve Reich; Terry Riley; Frederic Rzewski; Ryan Streber; Toru Takemitsu; Kevin Volan; Edgar Varese; Charles Wuorinen; Iannis Xenakis; and others. ACME has performed with Craig Wedren; German prepared/experimental pianist Hauschka, and recorded with Matmos. Most recently, ACME is featured on Grizzly Bear’s latest album, Veckatimest, and performed with the band during their sold-out Town Hall concerts in May 2009. They also joined Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson in his US touring debut in 2009. ACME has performed at Carnegie Hall; Le Poisson Rouge; Brooklyn Academy of Music; Tenri Cultural Institute; Noguchi Museum; The Whitney Museum; and Columbia University’s Miller Theatre.
Style
ACME does not subscribe to one stylistic movement or genre; its concerts present all genres of contemporary literature in the same light and with the same conviction. ACME members approach every piece, no matter the style or composition date, with the same musicality, intensity and dedication. “[T]he organisation is dedicated to widening the audience for contemporary music and is a regular guest of the Wordless Music Series, which focuses on introducing new audiences to the ‘classical’ arena through participation with many indie and electronica artists.” As Wordless Music Series’ Ronen Givony put it, “[t]he players of ACME embody what happens when classical people stop being defensive, judgmental or condescending toward sound worlds other than their own, and view them instead as friendly and complementary territories with which to engage.”
Discography
Matmos "The Rose Has Teeth In The Mouth Of A Beast"
Label: Matador
Catalog#: OLE 677-1
Grizzly Bear "Veckatimest"
Label: Warp Records
Catalog#: WARPCD182