The German ensemble ascolta was formed in 2003 by seven musicians sharing a long history of musical partnership, with the intent of providing an ideal environment for the creation and performance of new musical scores. The unusual choice of instruments - trumpet, trombone, cello, guitar/electric-guitar, piano and two percussionists - articulates a unique position in the present ensemble landscape with its concentration on deep, visceral timbres and its strong core of rhythm instruments.
The members - all widely respected as soloists, composers, arrangers and guests in Europe's top contemporary ensembles - seek to form a close working relationship with the composers from whom they commission new works. Individual experimentation with each of the players as well as extensive rehearsal time with the ensemble allow for the exploration and elaboration of new sounds and playing techniques as well as an authentic rendition of the score.
The ensemble's programming is an integral part of its identity: Emphasis is placed on creating programs with a conceptual integrity that communicates itself to the audience. Among the programs that have enjoyed a dynamic longevity is one of abstract and Dadaistic silent films from the 1920's, for which more than fifteen new works have been commissioned over the last four years. Two productions for German National Television, a DVD for the Goethe Institute as well as numerous performances at sold out venues have helped to counterbalance prevailing notions of contemporary music's inaccessibility. Other ongoing projects include the recording of Frank Zappa's unpublished synclavier work in close cooperation with the Zappa Family Trust. The first CD was recorded in July 2007, shortly before a much heralded performance with two world premieres at the Radial System in Berlin, and will be released at Zappa records in Los Angeles. The Dialogue Experiment, an interactive composition in which seven composers co-operate with one another as well as with the seven ensemble members received it's first performance at Europe's premiere festival in Donaueschingen in october 2008 followed by performances at the festival Wien Modern in november 2008 and in ascolta's own concert series in may 2009, supported by the city of Stuttgart.
ascolta has performed at virtually all of the major contemporary music festivals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Appearances in the 2008 season included the Donaueschinger Musiktage, Wien Modern, Eclat Festival Stuttgart, Klangspuren Schwaz, Huddersfield, Dresden New Music Days, MDR-Sommer and Darmstadt. ascolta has commissioned and premiered works from many of Europe's leading composers, such as Chaya Czernowin, Beat Furrer, Georg Katzer, Sven-Ingo Koch, Tiziano Manca, Isabel Mundry, Olga Neuwirth, Michael Reudenbach, Rolf Riehm, Annette Schmucki, Johannes Schöllhorn, Martin Smolka, Hans Thomalla, Casper Johannes Walter and Jennifer Walshe.
ascolta is based in Stuttgart, where it works in close cooperation with Musik der Jahrhunderte.
