‘The Aronowitz works as a true ensemble, listening, responding, moving as one and creating mellifluous, fascinating textures.’ (Daily Telegraph)
aronowitz ensemble
The Aronowitz Ensemble was formed out of the desire of seven outstanding young international artists to explore and perform chamber music together in the highly adaptable combination of string sextet and piano. Since its sell-out debut at St John’s, Smith Square in 2004, the Ensemble has maintained a busy schedule of engagements across the UK and beyond, covering a vast range of repertoire – familiar, neglected and new.
Since joining the BBC’s New Generation Artists scheme in 2006, the Aronowitz Ensemble has featured extensively on BBC Radio 3. In addition to numerous studio recordings, broadcasts have included performances from the Wigmore and Bridgewater Halls, the Sage Gateshead, and the Aldeburgh, Bath, Cheltenham and City of London Festivals. The Ensemble made its BBC Proms debut in 2008, and returned for two further performances at the Proms in 2009.
Several composers have written works for the Aronowitz Ensemble in its full septet formation. Gwilym Simcock’s Contours and Huw Watkins’ Sad Steps, both commissioned by the BBC, were premiered at the City of London Festival and BBC Proms respectively, while a new work by Martin Suckling, funded by the Royal Philharmonic Society, received its first performance at the Wigmore Hall in 2010.
In addition to its wide repertoire of chamber works for strings and piano, the Aronowitz Ensemble enjoys collaborations with artists such as Nicholas Daniel, Gerald Finley, Matthew Hunt, Andrew Kennedy, Dominic Seldis, Ailish Tynan and Elizabeth Watts. The Ensemble has also performed its own arrangements of lighter works by Gershwin, Weill and Katie Melua in cabaret performances for the Aldeburgh and City of London Festivals.
In 2009, the Aronowitz Ensemble was awarded a Special Ensemble Scholarship from the Borletti-Buitoni Trust, providing support and financial assistance towards a number of exciting projects.