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ACME
The American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) is dedicated to the outstanding performance of masterworks from the 20th and 21st centuries. The ensemble aims to present cutting-edge contemporary literature by living composers alongside the “classics” of the contemporary. ACME members include violinists Ben Russell and Caleb Burhans, violist Nadia Sirota, cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen, pianist Eric Huebner, and percussionist Chris Thompson. Since its first New York concert season in 2004, the ensemble has performed works by John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Caleb Burhans, John Cage, Elliott Carter, George Crumb, Jacob Druckman, Jefferson Friedman, Philip Glass, Charles Ives, Donald Martino, Olivier Messiaen, Nico Muhly, Michael Nyman, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Frederic Rzewski, Arnold Schoenberg, Ryan Streber, Toru Takemitsu, Kevin Volans, Charles Wuorinen, Iannis Xenakis, Chen Yi, and more. A regular guest of (Le) Poisson Rouge and the Wordless Music Series, ACME has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Tenri Cultural Institute, the Noguchi Museum, the Whitney Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Flea Theater, and Columbia University's Miller Theatre, among others. ACME does not subscribe to one stylistic movement or genre; its concerts present all genres of contemporary music in the same light and with the same conviction. Time Out New York reports, “[Artistic Director Clarice] Jensen has earned a sterling reputation for her fresh, inclusive mix of minimalists, maximalists, eclectics and newcomers.”
ACME’s dedication to presenting new music extends across genres – the ensemble has collaborated with bands and artists including Grizzly Bear (in concert and on their best-selling album, Veckatimest, featuring strings by Nico Muhly); electronica duo Matmos (on The Rose Has Teeth In The Mouth Of A Beast, with strings by Jefferson Friedman); Craig Wedren (former frontman of the avant-rock band Shudder To Think); prepared-pianist Hauschka; composers/performers Jóhann Jóhannsson, Max Richter, and Dustin O'Halloran; and Micachu & The Shapes.
Other recent highlights include ACME’s Carnegie Hall debut in March 2009 performing the world premiere of Timothy Andres' Senior with the New York Youth Symphony in Stern Auditorium; opening the TriBeCa New Music Festival at the Flea Theater in June 2009, performing works by young American composers Jefferson Friedman, Caleb Burhans, Ryan Streber and Nico Muhly; and a month-long residency at the Whitney Museum presented by the Wordless Music Series, for which ACME tailored a contemporary classical program to complement the indie-rock or electronica performer sharing the concert.
2010 highlights include a January tour with pianist Simone Dinnerstein for concerts in Texas, New Mexico, Vermont and New York; a performance of Gorecki’s String Quartet No. 2 opening for electroacoustic musician Jacaszek at (Le) Poisson Rouge in February; the music of Louis Andriessen at (Le) Poisson Rouge in April; a performance with Craig Wedren as part of New Amsterdam’s Archipelago series at Galapagos Art Space on May 21; and a 13-city North American tour with Jóhann Jóhannsson in May.
ACME was founded in 2004 by cellist Clarice Jensen, conductor Donato Cabrera, and manager Christina Jensen.
More info at www.acmemusic.org
