The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble (PNME) is an American ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the group was established by composer David Stock in 1976. It has premiered over 200 works and is a major regional cultural attraction . Emphasis is placed on pieces by modern composers and recent past seasons have featured works by György Ligeti, Frederic Rzewski, George Crumb, John Cage, David Lang, Robert Black and others.
In 2001, conductor/director Kevin Noe took over from the group's founder, becoming the new Artistic Director. The troupe quickly made radical changes and struck out in a new direction using an entirely new team of musicians and artists. Since that time, the group's attendance has grown almost 700%, and the number of concerts has more than doubled. Now regarded as one of the most important contemporary groups in the country, the troupe has been listed three years in a row as having given one of the top 10 performances in the city of Pittsburgh each year. The group places a particular focus on setting musical works in a unique context utilizing film, drama, and other theatrical media.
PNME performances take place over a series of weekend concerts in the midsummer in Pittsburgh at the City Theatre. PNME is highly acclaimed for providing a highly stylized visual context for new musical pieces that include film, choreography, performance art and stage lighting.
PNME commissions musical pieces including the Harvey Gaul Composition Competition. The group's Executive Director is Christopher McGlumphy.
The PNME artists include:
Lindsey Goodman (Flute), Conor Llewellyn Hanick (Piano), Timothy Jones (Bass-baritone), Norbert Lewandowski (Cello), Kevin Schempf (Clarinet), Nathalie Shaw (Violin), David Skidmore (Percussion), Chris McGlumphy (Sound Design) Andy Ostrowski (Lighting Design)
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