AskoSchönberg Ensemble

AskoSchönberg Ensemble
Name	AskoSchönberg Ensemble
Origin	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genre	Contemporary classical music
Years active	1965–present

AskoSchönberg Ensemble is a Dutch chamber ensemble specializing in contemporary classical music, formed through the merger of the Asko Ensemble and the Schönberg Ensemble. The group is based in Amsterdam and is known for performances of works by twentieth- and twenty-first-century composers, close collaborations with living composers, and appearances at major festivals. It has recorded for international labels and won awards such as the Gramophone Classical Music Awards and Edison Award.

History

The ensemble traces roots to the foundation of the Asko Ensemble in 1965 and the later founding of the Schönberg Ensemble in 1974, both active in the Netherlands avant-garde scene. During the late twentieth century the two groups developed ties with institutions like the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (Netherlands), and venues including the Concertgebouw and the De Doelen in Rotterdam. The formal merger in the early 2000s created a single organization that continued careers shaped by associations with the Gaudeamus Foundation, Donaueschingen Festival, Wien Modern, and the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music.

Artistic Profile and Repertoire

The ensemble's artistic profile emphasizes works by composers of the post-World War II era and living creators associated with serialism, spectral music, and other contemporary movements. Repertoire highlights include music by Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Anton Webern, Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, György Ligeti, Iannis Xenakis, Louis Andriessen, Richard Rijnvos, Michel van der Aa, and Bernd Alois Zimmermann. The group programs chamber pieces, ensemble works, and staged projects by composers like Helmut Lachenmann, Enno Poppe, Mark-Anthony Turnage, George Benjamin, Harrison Birtwistle, Kaija Saariaho, and Liza Lim.

Commissioning and Premieres

The organization has been an active commissioner, premiering works by composers associated with contemporary music institutions such as the IRCAM, Institute of Sonology, and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Notable premieres have included pieces by Louis Andriessen, Cristóbal Halffter, George Benjamin, Brian Ferneyhough, Unsuk Chin, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Sofia Gubaidulina. The ensemble's commissioning partners have included the European Cultural Foundation, national broadcasting organizations like NTR (Dutch broadcaster), and festival presenters such as Edinburgh International Festival and Münchener Biennale.

Recordings and Awards

The ensemble's discography encompasses releases on labels connected to contemporary repertoire, including recordings for Nonesuch Records, Mode Records, Disques Montaigne, Challenge Records, and national labels associated with Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. Recorded projects have received recognition from panels behind the Gramophone Awards, Edison Awards, and critics at publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC Music Magazine. Noteworthy recordings feature works by Steve Reich, Philip Glass, György Kurtág, Peter Eötvös, and Louis Andriessen.

Collaborations and Partnerships

The ensemble has maintained collaborations with conductors, soloists, and institutions including Reinbert de Leeuw, Oliver Knussen, Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Chailly, Sir Simon Rattle, Pieter Wispelwey, Nikolaj Znaider, and Isabelle van Keulen. Partnerships extend to contemporary music centers like ZKM Center for Art and Media, Het Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ', and educational institutions such as the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and Amsterdam Conservatory. The group has engaged in interdisciplinary projects with choreographers from Nederlands Dans Theater, stage directors linked to Opera Zuid, and media artists from MATR-affiliated labs.

Tours and Residencies

Touring has taken the ensemble to major festivals and concert halls across Europe, North America, and Asia, including appearances at the Berlin Philharmonie, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Salzburg Festival, Tanglewood Festival, Sydney Opera House, and the Musica Nova Helsinki festival. The ensemble has held residencies at institutions such as Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ, De Doelen, and the Bergen International Festival, and collaborated in residency programs hosted by the Gaudeamus Foundation and Kunststiftung NRW.

Members and Leadership

Personnel have combined core players and guest musicians drawn from ensembles like the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble Modern, and London Sinfonietta. Leadership has included artistic directors and managers associated with contemporary programming such as Peter Jan Wagemans, Reinbert de Leeuw, and administrators experienced with European cultural funding bodies including the European Cultural Foundation and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Soloists and frequent collaborators include instrumentalists linked to Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Hilliard Ensemble, and conservatories such as the Juilliard School and Royal Academy of Music.

Category:Dutch musical groups Category:Contemporary classical music ensembles