Ensemble intercontemporain

Ensemble intercontemporain
Chamber orchestra
Official logo
Founded	1976 (1976)
Location	Paris, France
Concert hall	Philharmonie de Paris
Principal conductor	Pierre Bleuse
Website	ensembleintercontemporain.com

The Ensemble intercontemporain (EIC) is a French music ensemble, based in Paris, that is dedicated to contemporary music.^[1] Pierre Boulez founded the EIC in 1976 for this purpose.

Organization and purpose

The EIC consists of thirty one full-time soloists in various instruments.^[2][3] They exist to fill a need for musicians who can work with new playing techniques and composition styles prevalent in this kind of music.^[4] The Ensemble is resident at the Philharmonie de Paris, under its current artistic director Matthias Pintscher.^[2][5] with their activities financed by the French Ministry of Culture and the city of Paris.^[6]

The Ensemble intercontemporain after a performance of Boulez' Sur Incises in Barbican Hall, London, April 2015

The EIC performs about thirty times a year in their home city,^[7] and tour extensively both in France and abroad, especially at international festivals.^[6] These concerts regularly include the premieres of new compositions, often commissioned by the Ensemble itself, which gives preference to young composers who have not yet had their work performed by the organization.^[3][7] The Ensemble has over 2,000 contemporary works in their repertoire, much of which has been recorded and includes composers such as Elliott Carter, Luigi Dallapiccola, Luciano Berio, along with the complete works of Boulez, György Ligeti, György Kurtág, Alejandro Romero, George Benjamin, Roberto Carnevale and Ivan Fedele.^[5][6]

Their support for composers goes beyond playing their work in public and includes collaborating with composers both in the creation and interpretation processes. One reason for this is that the techniques and composition style of contemporary music is significantly different from classical music, and composer notation systems vary, especially with the indications of these new techniques.^[3][7]

The Ensemble also supports young musicians which includes workshops at schools, master classes and more for conservatory students, professional and amateur musicians and training for conductors and composers. Since 2004, individual members have been tutoring young instrumentalists, conductors and composers in contemporary music as part of the Lucerne Festival Academy (Lucerne Festival). In addition, they collaborate with other kinds of artists from the fields of dance, theater, video and visual arts.^[3] The organization collaborates regularly with the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (Institute of Acoustic Music Research and Coordination) which sponsors research and concerts to showcase technological innovations in composition.^[3][7]

History

The Ensemble intercontemporain was founded in 1976 by composer and conductor Pierre Boulez, with the support of French Minister of Culture Michel Guy and the collaboration of Nicholas Snowman,^[3][8] in order to provide performers for contemporary chamber music.^[1][4]

The idea for the Ensemble came from Boulez's experiences as part of the historical avant garde of Darmstadt, Germany, in the 1950s, contemporary of Stockhausen, Berio, Ligeti and Nono. He began his career as a composer in contemporary music, moving onto conducting orchestras such as New York Philharmonic (1971–1978) and the BBC Symphony Orchestra (1971–1975). He states that his first love is composition and noted the lack of venues to premiere and promote new music, so he created the Ensemble for playing and producing music, along with IRCAM, Institut de recherche et coordination acoustique/musique for academic work into the same field.^[4]

Since 1995 the Ensemble has been based at the Cité de la Musique (itself part of Philharmonie de Paris from 2015).^[1][3] Boulez held the position of president,^[9] with Péter Eötvös becoming the first musical director, appointed by Boulez in 1979.^[10] Successive music directors of the EIC have been David Robertson (1992–2000), Jonathan Nott (2000–2003), Susanna Mälkki (2006–2013) and Matthias Pintscher (2013–2023).^{[1][7][11][12]} Mälkki was the first female music director of the EIC. Pintscher is scheduled to conclude his tenure as EIC music director at the close of the 2022–2023 season. In December 2021, the EIC announced the appointment of Pierre Bleuse as its next music director, effective with the 2023–2024 season, with an initial contract of 4 years.^[13]

The Ensemble has toured extensively to South America, Russia, Canada, the United States, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and most major cities of Europe.^[7] Recent performances include the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Palacio de Bellas Artes (2007),^[6] Buenos Aires in 2012,^[14] the Festival Internacional Cervantino in 2014,^[5][15] and in honor of Pierre Boulez's 90th birthday, a concert at the Barbican Centre in London.^[8][16]

The EIC has recorded for a number of labels, including Deutsche Grammophon (music of Ligeti, Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg, Boulez^[17] and Unsuk Chin^[18]), and KAIROS (music of Alberto Posadas, Matthias Pintscher,^[19] Luca Francesconi, Philippe Manoury and Michael Jarrell). Recordings by the EIC have received multiple awards, including the Gramophone Award and the Diapason d'Or

Commissions by the Ensemble intercontemporain

• 2014:
  • Amir Shpilman, Iridescent Stasis^[20][21]
• 2013:
  • Matthias Pintscher, Bereshit^[22]
  • Philippe Leroux, Totalsolo^[23]
• 2012:
  • Ondřej Adámek [de], Kameny^[24]
  • Enno Poppe, Speicher III and Speicher IV^[25]
  • Luc Brewaeys, Fête à tensions
  • Lu Wang, Past beyond^[26]
  • Anthony Cheung, Dystemporal^[27][28]
  • Einar Torfi Einarsson, Desiring-Machines^[29]
• 2011:
  • Marco Stroppa, Re orso^[30]
  • Sean Shepherd, Blur^[31]
  • Bernhard Gander [de], Take nine for twelve^[32]
  • Johannes Maria Staud, Par ici!^[33]
  • Jacques Rebotier [fr], R.A.S^[34]
  • François Sarhan, Talea II^[35]
• 2010:
  • Michael Jarrell, La chambre aux échos^[36]
  • Hèctor Parra, Caressant l'horizon^[37]
  • Lucas Fagin, Lanterna magica^[38]
  • Yann Robin [fr; ca], Vulcano^[39]

Music Director

• Péter Eötvös (1979–1992)
• David Robertson (1992–2000)
• Jonathan Nott (2000–2003)
• Susanna Mälkki (2006–2013)
• Matthias Pintscher (2013–2023)
• Pierre Bleuse (2023–present)

References

1. "Ensemble Intercontemporain – Choir Accentus / Axe 21". Venice: Biennale Musica 2015 (La Biennale di Venezia). Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
2. "The Ensemble intercontemporain". Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
3. "Ensemble Intercontemporain". France: Philharmonie de Paris. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
4. "Boulez wins the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for the influence of his compositions and his engagement with musical thought and transmission: – Boulez has combined composition at the very highest level with the direction of leading orchestras, an intense teaching effort, and the creation of front-line centers for the investigation and transmission of contemporary music, like IRCAM, or Ensemble Intercontemporain". New York: PR Newswire. February 12, 2013.
5. "El Ensemble Intercontemporain se presentará el jueves 23 de octubre en el Palacio de Bellas Artes 21" (Press release). Mexico: Palacio de Bellas Artes (CONACULTA). October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
6. "Llega a México el Ensemble Intercontemporain". Mexico City. Notimex. November 17, 2007.
7. Nina Perlove (Winter 1998). "Transmission, Interpretation, Collaboration – A Performer's Perspective on the Language of Contemporary Music: An Interview with Sophie Cherrier". Perspectives of New Music. 31 (1): 43–58.
8. George Hall (April 29, 2015). "Ensemble Intercontemporain/Pintscher review – bold and brilliant Boulez". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
9. Schwartz, K. Robert (February 17, 1991). "A Mellowed Polemicist Retains His Edge". The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
10. Clements, Andrew (February 17, 2003). "BBCSO/Eötvös (Barbican, London)". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
11. Daniel J. Wakin (June 22, 2012). "Ensemble Intercontemporain Names Music Director". The New York Times. Art Beat. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
12. "Matthias Pintscher est nommé Directeur musical de l'Ensemble intercontemporain" / "Matthias Pintscher appointed Music Director of the Ensemble intercontemporain" (Press Release). Ensemble Intercontemporain, June 22, 2012.
13. Léopold Tobisch (December 3, 2021). "Pierre Bleuse succède à Matthias Pintscher à la tête de l'Ensemble intercontemporain". France Musique. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
14. "Ensemble Intercontemporain". La Nación. Buenos Aires. July 1, 2012.
15. "[#Cervantino909] Ensemble Intercontemporain". Mexico City: Ibero 900 (Universidad Iberoamericana). October 22, 2014. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
16. Hannah Nepil (April 29, 2015). "Boulez at 90: Ensemble Intercontemporain, Barbican, London — review". Financial Times. London. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
17. Clements, Andrew (March 4, 2005). "Boulez: Le Marteau Sans Maître; Dérive 1 & 2, Summers/ Ensemble Intercontemporain/ Boulez". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
18. Clements, Andrew (March 25, 2005). "Unsuk Chin: Akrostichon-Wortspiel; Fantaisie Mecanique; Xi; Double Concerto, Komsi/ Favre/ Vassilakis/ Ensemble Intercontemporain/ Ono/ Davin/ Robertson/ Asbury". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
19. Clements, Andrew (January 18, 2008). "Pintscher: En Sourdine; Tenebrae; Reflections on Narcissus, Zimmermann/ Desjardins/ Mørk/ Ensemble Intercontemporain/ NDR Symphony Orch/ Pintscher". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2009.
20. "Edition Gravis". Edition Gravis (in German). Retrieved September 16, 2024.
21. "COMPOSITIONS". Amir Shpilman. December 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
22. "[t]akte: "In einem Anfang" – "Bereshit" von Matthias Pintscher". [t]akte (in German). Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
23. "Total SOLo, Brahms". Ressources. April 13, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
24. "Kameny, Brahms". Ressources. January 29, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
25. "Speicher IV, Brahms". Ressources. October 28, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
26. "past beyond, Brahms". Ressources. October 4, 2012. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
27. "Cheung: Dystemporal « Susanna Mälkki". Susanna Mälkki. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
28. "Dystemporal, Brahms". Ressources (in French). October 4, 2012. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
29. "Desiring-Machines, Brahms". Ressources (in French). October 4, 2012. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
30. "Re Orso, Brahms". Ressources. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
31. "Sean Shepherd". Boosey & Hawkes. January 10, 2012. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
32. "take nine (for twelve), Bernhard Gander". Ressources. February 23, 2012. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
33. "Par ici! für Ensemble". Universal Edition (in German). Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
34. "R.A.S., Brahms". Ressources. April 3, 2011. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
35. Tosi, Michèle (May 7, 2011). "L'éloge de l'Imagination". ResMusica (in French). Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
36. "La chambre aux échos, Brahms". Ressources (in French). Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
37. "Caressant l'Horizon, Brahms". Ressources (in French). Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
38. "Lanterna Magica, Brahms". Ressources (in French). October 15, 2011. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
39. "Vulcano". Henry Lemoine. Archived from the original on September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.

External links

• Official website