About
American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME)
Ben Russell, violin
George Meyer, violin
Kal Sugatski, viola
Andrew Janss, cello
Caleb van der Swaagh, cello
Since 2004, led by cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen, the
American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) has risen to the highest ranks of
American new music through a mix of meticulous musicianship, artistic vision,
engaging collaborations, and unwavering standards in every regard. NPR calls
them “contemporary music dynamos,” and Strings reports, “ACME’s absorbing
playing pulsed with warm energy. . . Shared glances and inhales triggered
transitions in a flow so seamless it seemed learned in a Jedi temple.” ACME has
been honored by ASCAP for the “virtuosity, passion, and commitment with which
it performs and champions American composers.” The ensemble has performed at
leading international venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, BAM, The
Kennedy Center, Washington Performing Arts, UCLA's Royce Hall, Stanford Live,
Chicago’s Millennium Park, Duke Performances, STG Presents in Seattle,
Melbourne Recital Hall and Sydney Opera House in Australia, and at festivals
including the Sacrum Profanum Festival in Poland, All Tomorrow's Parties in
England, Auckland Arts Festival in New Zealand, Summer Nostos Festival in
Greece, Boston Calling, and Big Ears. In addition to recording the work for
Deutsche Grammophon, ACME has performed Max Richter’s Sleep (an
eight-hour lullaby for a sleeping audience) with him around the world,
including at the Great Wall of China; on the piers of Auckland, New Zealand; in
Hobart, Tasmania; at the Sydney Opera House; and in LA’s Grand Park, among
others. The ensemble's recordings appear on Deutsche Grammophon, Sono Luminus,
New World Records, and New Amsterdam Records. www.acmemusic.org