ACME was founded by cellist Clarice Jensen and is dedicated to the outstanding performance of masterworks from the 20th and 21st centuries in programs that are both avant-garde and archetypal. The ensemble aims to present cutting edge contemporary literature by living composers alongside the “classics” of the contemporary. Time Out New York describes ACME as “one of New York’s brightest new music indie-bands.”Core ACME members include violinists Miranda Cuckson, Caleb Burhans, Yuki Numata, and Benjamin Russell, violist Nadia Sirota, cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen, flutist Alex Sopp, clarinetist Gilad Harel, pianist Eric Huebner, and percussionist Chris Thompson.
Since its first New York concert season in 2004, the ensemble has performed works by John Adams, Louis Andriessen, John Cage, Elliott Carter, George Crumb, Jacob Druckman, Jefferson Friedman, Charles Ives, Donald Martino, Olivier Messiaen, Nico Muhly, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Frederic Rzewski, Ryan Streber, Toru Takemitsu, Kevin Volans, Edgar Varese, Charles Wuorinen, Iannis Xenakis, and many more.
ACME has also performed and recorded with artists such as Matmos, Craig Wedren and German prepared/experimental pianist Hauschka. Most recently, ACME is featured on Grizzly Bear’s latest album, Veckatimest, and performed with the band during their sold-out Town Hall concerts in May 2009. ACME is a regular guest of the Wordless Music series, and has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Le Poisson Rouge, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Tenri Cultural Institute, Noguchi Museum, the Whitney Museum, and Columbia University's Miller Theatre.
ACME does not subscribe to one stylistic movement or genre; its concerts present all genres of contemporary literature in the same light and with the same conviction. ACME programs are created from a sonic and dramatic perspective with the audience’s live experience as the central motivating factor and inspiration. ACME members approach every piece, no matter the style or composition date, with the same musicality, intensity and dedication.
