Xenakis Ensemble
Encyclopedia
The Xenakis Ensemble is a Dutch
ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music
. Based in Middelburg
, it is known as one of the few ensembles specializing in the works of the composer Iannis Xenakis
. It is frequently conducted by Diego Masson
, who conducted the performances of many of Xenakis's works, as well as other guest conductors including Huub Kerstens. Its concertmaster is Mifune Tsuji.
The group was founded in 1980, at the initiative of the foundation Nieuwe MUZIEK Zeeland of Middelburg
and the pianist Geoffrey Douglas Madge, with the approval of the composer Iannis Xenakis. Its repertoire includes over 40 compositions by Xenakis, some of which, such as À l'île de Gorée (1986), were written for the group. The ensemble also performs recent works by Luca Francesconi, Morton Feldman
, Willem Breuker
, Jin Hi Kim
, Huib Emmer
, and Bunita Marcus
.
The Xenakis Ensemble has released several CDs of the music of Iannis Xenakis (one in collaboration with the harpsichord
ist Elisabeth Chojnacka
), as well as several other composers.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
. Based in Middelburg
Middelburg
Middelburg is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of the province of Zeeland. It is situated in the Midden-Zeeland region. It has a population of about 48,000.- History of Middelburg :...
, it is known as one of the few ensembles specializing in the works of the composer Iannis Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis was a Romanian-born Greek ethnic, naturalized French composer, music theorist, and architect-engineer. He is commonly recognized as one of the most important post-war avant-garde composers...
. It is frequently conducted by Diego Masson
Diego Masson
Diego Masson is a French conductor, composer, and percussionist.The son of artist André Masson and brother of the singer and actor Luís Masson, Diego Masson studied piano and composition at the Paris Conservatoire...
, who conducted the performances of many of Xenakis's works, as well as other guest conductors including Huub Kerstens. Its concertmaster is Mifune Tsuji.
The group was founded in 1980, at the initiative of the foundation Nieuwe MUZIEK Zeeland of Middelburg
Middelburg
Middelburg is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of the province of Zeeland. It is situated in the Midden-Zeeland region. It has a population of about 48,000.- History of Middelburg :...
and the pianist Geoffrey Douglas Madge, with the approval of the composer Iannis Xenakis. Its repertoire includes over 40 compositions by Xenakis, some of which, such as À l'île de Gorée (1986), were written for the group. The ensemble also performs recent works by Luca Francesconi, Morton Feldman
Morton Feldman
Morton Feldman was an American composer, born in New York City.A major figure in 20th century music, Feldman was a pioneer of indeterminate music, a development associated with the experimental New York School of composers also including John Cage, Christian Wolff, and Earle Brown...
, Willem Breuker
Willem Breuker
Willem Breuker was a Dutch jazz bandleader, composer, arranger, saxophonist, and bass clarinetist....
, Jin Hi Kim
Jin Hi Kim
Kim Jin-Hi is a geomungo player and composer.She is known for introducing the geomungo to the wider world through her contemporary chamber and orchestral compositions and large-scale multimedia pieces, as well as her extensive work in avant-garde and cross-cultural free...
, Huib Emmer
Huib Emmer
Huib Emmer is a Dutch composer. He also plays electric guitar and electric bass guitar.From 1976 to 1986 Emmer was a member of the Dutch minimal ensemble Hoketus and he has performed since 1988 in the ensemble LOOS...
, and Bunita Marcus
Bunita Marcus
Bunita Marcus, born May 5, 1952 in Madison, Wisconsin, began studying composition at the age of sixteen and worked in both electronic and instrumental mediums while at the University of Wisconsin. In 1981 she received a Ph.D...
.
The Xenakis Ensemble has released several CDs of the music of Iannis Xenakis (one in collaboration with the harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
ist Elisabeth Chojnacka
Elisabeth Chojnacka
Elisabeth Chojnacka is a Polish harpsichordist living in France. She is one of the world's foremost harpsichordists specializing in the performance of contemporary harpsichord music....
), as well as several other composers.
Discography
- 1990 - Iannis Xenakis (Musifrance 2292-45030-2)
- 1995 - Xenakis Ensemble Live (BVHaast 9219).http://www.iannis-xenakis.org/english/disco2.htmhttp://www.xs4all.nl/~wbk/BV_cat_list.html
- 1998 - Xenakis Ensemble (Bvhaast 9805).http://www.leonardo.info/isast/spec.projects/Xenakisbib.html
- 1999 - Xenakis Ensemble (BVHaast 9903).http://www.leonardo.info/isast/spec.projects/Xenakisbib.html
- 2000 - Xenakis - Orchestral & Chamber Works (Ultima). 2-CD set.http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00004W474