Founded in 1975 as the 20th Century Consort, the group became the resident ensemble for contemporary music at the Smithsonian Institution’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in 1978. In its annual series at the Hirshhorn, the Consort presented finely balanced concerts frequently related to the museum’s exhibitions, featuring music by living composers – often world premieres – along with 20th century classics. In 1990, the Consort was awarded the Smithsonian Institution’s Smithson Medal in honor of their long, successful association.
Show Notes
Program
György Ligeti - Poeme Symphonique (watch this video performance after the program!)
Sebastian Currier - Variations On Time and Time Again
Elliott Carter - Tempo e Tempi
Olivier Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time