Biography
The Ives Ensemble performs the finest contemporary chamber music in its purest form. Taking the idiosyncratic American composer Charles Ives as its source of inspiration, the ensemble opts for originality and quality, for music with lasting impact. Its focus is not only on the very latest developments, but also on music from the recent past. With one foot in the 20th century, one in the 21st, and looking ahead to the 22nd, the ensemble is devoted to the historical music of our time—music that future generations will come to value as cultural heritage. Legendary composers such as John Cage and Aldo Clementi wrote works especially for the ensemble, and to this day it maintains close ties with leading composers with whom it feels a strong artistic affinity. The result is a wide range of highly diverse and consistently surprising programmes that invite audiences to listen with full concentration.
The Ives Ensemble first gained renown through groundbreaking performances and recordings of works by John Cage and Morton Feldman, but it is equally respected for its broader repertoire, which is marked by originality and a spirit of exploration. The ensemble further distinguishes itself through its conductorless working method and flexible instrumentation, its carefully considered programming, and its wide-ranging interdisciplinary interests. Over the course of its nearly forty-year career, the ensemble has performed at major venues and festivals at home and abroad, produced successful festivals of its own, and collaborated with countless composers. Over the past decade these have included, among others, Terry Riley, Alvin Lucier, Piet-Jan van Rossum, Cassandra Miller, Joanna Bailie, and Richard Rijnvos. To date, the ensemble has released nineteen widely acclaimed CD recordings, including releases on the legendary Swiss HatHut label and the Nimbus Alliance.
