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A brief outline of the Ensemble's history and activities Uroboros Ensemble was formed in 1982, bringing together some of
Britain's most accomplished and best-known instrumentalists. The group was
founded by the composer Gwyn Pritchard who remains their current Artistic
Director and Conductor. After a dormant period from 1996 to 2003 the group was
revived, retaining some of the original players who have been joined by
new-comers, once again drawn from Britain’s most distinguished performers of
contemporary chamber music. The ensemble’s concerts may include from three to
eighteen players. Uroboros Ensemble has performed extensively throughout Britain
and abroad, and presented a number of major concert series in London. They have
appeared in international festivals including the Warsaw Autumn Festival, The
International New Music Week, The Reggello International Festival in Italy, The
Weimar Spring Days for Contemporary Music and many others. They have made many
recordings for radio and television, and can be heard on CD on the Etcetera
label. Primarily a group specialising in contemporary music, Uroboros
Ensemble is noted for presenting programmes that embrace an unusually wide range
of musical styles originating from the UK and from many countries around the
world. Several distinguished
composers have written pieces specially for them and they have given numerous
world and national premières, including music by Lutoslawski, Firsova, Finnissy,
Ichiyanagi, Wuorinen, Stäbler, Ambrosini, Woolrich, Cutler, and many others. As
well as commissioning and performing new works Uroboros Ensemble is equally
committed to giving further performances of contemporary
pieces that have been unduly neglected; and their concerts may
occasionally include music from the 'classical' repertoire, which is always
carefully selected so as to create a pathway leading to greater enjoyment and
understanding of the contemporary works being performed. From 2003 to 2005 Uroboros Ensemble was co-promoter of the
Reggello International Festival in Italy, which included performers from many
different countries. As the resident ensemble Uroboros Ensemble both
performed in concerts and organised the Reggello International Composers’
Competition in association with the festival, giving performances of the winning
works in both Italy and London. In 2013 Uroboros Ensemble, in partnership with Accademia San Felice, promoted the first London Ear festival of contemporary music, based in the Waterloo area of London. This annual festival has a strong international profile, inviting world-class ensembles and soloists from many countries to perform recent music both by established and by less well known or emerging composers, and representing musical styles that are less frequently heard in the UK. Within the festival framework associated events include the London Ear Composers' Competition, a Featured Young Performer project, masterclasses and educational workshops for children. For more information see www.londonearfestival.co.uk From it’s beginning Uroboros Ensemble's has been committed to
an extensive educational programme in which people of all ages and all levels of
experience are encouraged to explore music, especially contemporary music, and
also to develop their own skills in both performance and composition. The
Ensemble has organised many composers' workshops from which significant new
talents have subsequently emerged. Concerts are frequently preceded by
special open rehearsals with commentaries to allow listeners new insights into
music and its performance. Uroboros Ensemble also promotes performances by other
musicians sharing similar artistic concerns. In addition to administrating
the London Ear festival, groups or soloists may be
invited to visit Britain to undertake tours arranged and coordinated through
the Ensemble's office, such as the outstanding Basle Soloists’ UK tour which
included three events at The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and
appearances in London and other British cities; and the recent appearance in
London of Modern Ensemble from South Korea. Uroboros has also promoted
concerts for younger, emerging artists such the now acclaimed British pianist
Nicolas Hodges. Although Uroboros Ensemble events are often presented by independent promoters such as festivals, much of their more pioneering work has been promoted by the Ensemble itself, and has been financed by grants from trusts and foundations which have included the 'PRS Foundation' the 'Hinrichsen Foundation' and many others, or from public funding sources such as The Arts Council, The British Council and the (former) Regional Arts Associations; also by donations from private supporters and corporate sponsors. Uroboros Ensemble is a Registered Charity and a Limited Company. |
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