"American Modern Ensemble is a worthwhile new organization with what seems like a strong fan base and performers of high-quality."
- New York Times
We will announce our 2008-09 season on September 1st. Click here to be added to our mailing list.
All of the works on our final program on May 17 and 18, 2008, Food & Music, were inspired by cuisine. We presented six delectable pieces from across the culinary spectrum, including Three Place Settings by Barbara Kolb, narrated by the highly entertaining master of American song, Paul Sperry. We also presented Fruity Pebbles by Marc Mellits, as well as La Bonne Cuisine by Leonard Bernstein and The Gourmand's Lament by Yotam Haber. All were sung by soprano Jacquelyn Familant. In addition, we presented the world premiere of Eating Variations by AME's Artistic Director Robert Paterson, with text by New York-based poet Ron Singer, as well as the winning composer and work of AME's Third Annual Composition Competition, Hors d'oeuvres by Derrick Wang. Finally, we performed the culinary musical classic Quattro Stagioni dalla Cucina Futurisimo by Aaron Jay Kernis for narrator and chamber ensemble. Click here to read a review.
On February 3rd we presented 1938, our second program of the season. We showcased classic works by seven titans of American music, who by sheer coincidence, were all born in 1938: William Bolcom, Paul Chihara, John Corigliano, John Harbison, Joan Tower and Charles Wuorinen. Among the many fantastic works on the program were Corigliano's Chiaroscuro, a masterpiece for two pianos, one tuned a quarter-tone down. This work was performed by AME members Stephen Gosling and Blair McMillen, the two pianists featured on our first season's standing room only Powerhouse Pianists concert. We also released our first recording at this concert, a CD of the works from the Powerhouse Pianists concert. This was a rare opportunity to hear two of America's finest pianists performing together. Five of the six composers attended, and we interviewed the composers at each concert.
Each year, AME showcases one American composer on an entire program. This season, we presented the music of ultra-hip, rock band inspired composer Steven Mackey on October 6th and 7th. As well as being one of America's most highly acclaimed composers, he is also Professor of Music at Princeton University and was co-composer in residence at the world-famous Aspen Music Festival this summer. We performed his four-movement Micro-Concerto, featuring AME's riveting, dynamic percussionist Tom Kolor, his Sonata for Violin and Piano, and his three-movement work Indigenous Instruments. Steve is also an accomplished electric guitarist, and he joined AME for performances of his works Feels So Baaad and Fusion Tune. We interviewed Steve during intermission and as always, there was a reception afterwards where everyone could meet Steve and the members of AME. This was an evening of exciting music by one of the hippest, most down-to-earth composers in America.
Visit our Concert Schedule to see our fantastic performers who shared the stage for these concerts, and visit our Hear the Music page to listen to excerpts from past seasons.
We look forward to seeing you at our concerts!
Robert Paterson, Artistic Director
American Modern Ensemble
