first things first is my first solo album, on New Amsterdam Records, which I released in 2009. In a way, it’s chapter 1 of my solo viola commissioning project; this album is a sort of synthesis of all of these projects and friendships that started in my early twenties. The first piece I ever really commissioned is the first track on this album: Duet No. 1, Chorale Pointing Downwards by Nico. The process of editing and refining this piece (which was originally almost unplayably awkward) was surprisingly wonderful, and I discovered that this type of work was literally my favorite thing.

The music on this album is the result of my collaborations with three fantastic composers, Nico Muhly, Marcos Balter, and Judd Greenstein. Nico I met at school, and Judd and Marcos were both fellows at the Tanglewood Music Center with me, an unspeakably idyllic music festival in the Berkshires.

These guys are wonderful collaborators as well as wonderful friends, and these pieces (most of which were commissioned over a bourbon or two) represent some really lovely collaborations.

The one piece on this album that I did not commission is the last track, The Night Gatherers by Judd. It was commissioned by another Tanglewood friend of ours as a memorial to her grandmother. When I was putting this album together, I thought it would not only contribute beautifully to the arc of the record, but also give me the opportunity to work with my brother, a fantastic violist, and his ensemble, the wonderful Chiara Quartet.

All of these personal connections make this record really special for me, but more importantly, the music on this record is really good; all three of these guys have really strong, individual voices, but I think their music speaks well together. Their music is innovative, and yet feels timely and inevitable. I am so pleased to interpret these guys’ work, and I am thrilled to release this first record.

ACME’s instrumentation is flexible, and includes some of New York’s most sought-after, engaging musicians. Current core ACME members include violinists Caleb Burhans, Laura Lutzke, Rob Moose, and Ben Russell, violist Nadia Sirota, cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen, pianist Timo Andres, and percussionist Chris Thompson.

Since its first New York concert season in 2004, the ensemble has performed works by John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Caleb Burhans, John Cage, Elliott Carter, George Crumb, Jacob Druckman, Jefferson Friedman, Philip Glass, Charles Ives, Donald Martino, Olivier Messiaen, Nico Muhly, Michael Nyman, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Frederic Rzewski, Arnold Schoenberg, Ryan Streber, Toru Takemitsu, Kevin Volans, Charles Wuorinen, Iannis Xenakis, Chen Yi, and more.

ACME does not subscribe to one stylistic movement or genre; its concerts present all genres of contemporary music in the same light and with the same conviction. Time Out New York reports, “[Artistic Director Clarice] Jensen has earned a sterling reputation for her fresh, inclusive mix of minimalists, maximalists, eclectics and newcomers.”

ACME has also collaborated with bands and artists including Grizzly Bear (in concert and on their best-selling album, Veckatimest, featuring strings by Nico Muhly); electronica duo Matmos (on The Rose Has Teeth In The Mouth Of A Beast, with strings by Jefferson Friedman); Craig Wedren (former frontman of the avant-rock band Shudder To Think); prepared-pianist Hauschka; composers/performers Jóhann Jóhannsson, Max Richter, and Dustin O’Halloran, and Micachu & The Shapes.

Other recent highlights include ACME’s Carnegie Hall debut performing the world premiere of Timo Andres’ Senior with the New York Youth Symphony in Stern Auditorium; opening the TriBeCa New Music Festival at the Flea Theater performing works by young American composers Jefferson Friedman, Caleb Burhans, Ryan Streber and Nico Muhly; and a month-long residency at the Whitney Museum presented by the Wordless Music Series, for which ACME tailored a contemporary classical program to complement the indie-rock or electronica performer sharing the concert.

In addition to a January tour with chart-topping pianist Simone Dinnerstein, 2010 concert highlights included a performance of Gorecki’s String Quartet No. 2 opening for Polish electroacoustic musician Jacaszek; a concert of music by John Luther Adams and Kevin Volans; and a performance of the music of Louis Andriessen, all at (Le) Poisson Rouge. In spring 2011, ACME performed with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Nico Muhly’s new work Tell the Way in February; at The Kitchen during April’s 21c Liederabend produced in collaboration by Beth Morrison Projects, Opera On Tap, and VisionIntoArt; and as part of the MATA Festival in May.

ACME has planned an exciting and ambitious season in 2011-2012. The season opens in September, with performances presented by the Wordless Music Series in Boston at Jordan Hall and at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre, opening two sold-out concerts by American rock singer and guitarist Jeff Mangum with performances of Gavin Bryars’ Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet and music by Erik Satie. In October, ACME performs works by American composers John Luther Adams, Jacob Druckman and Alex Freeman in Columbia, South Carolina at the University of South Carolina. Later that month, ACME will perform at Joe’s Pub in New York, presenting a concert featuring music by 12 American composers selected through the Sequenza21 and the Manhattan New Music Project Call for Scores. In March 2012 presented by Stanford Lively Arts, ACME will give the world premiere of a new work commissioned from Ingram Marshall for ACME with acclaimed male a cappella group Lionheart, paired with Phil Kline’s beloved John the Revelator. That same month, ACME will also perform The Music of Phil Kline with legendary and Grammy-nominated vocalist Theo Bleckmann, an evening of new songs and chamber music composed by Kline as well as selections from past favorites Zippo Songs, John the Revelator, and Fear and Loathing at The Flynn Performing Arts Center in Burlington, VT.

ACME was founded in 2004 by cellist Clarice Jensen, conductor Donato Cabrera, and publicist Christina Jensen. The ensemble is managed exclusively by Bernstein Artists, Inc.

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Part of Classical 105.9 WQXR, Q2 Music is a listener-supported, New York-based internet stream devoted to the music of living composers; a home for immersive festivals, live Webcasts and on-demand concerts from today’s leading New Music performers and venues.

Nadia Sirota on Q2 can be heard weekdays from 12-4, both am and pm.

With a perspective both New York City-centric and international, Nadia Sirota aims to share upcoming events and recent recordings; present her latest musical discoveries; and engage in a fruitful dialogue with the musically curious. You can explore past themes at your convenience and listen through our website or iTunes classical radio.

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