The Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group was launched in 1981 under composer-in-residence and Philharmonic percussionist William Kraft, as one of several contemporary music projects envisioned and organized by the Philharmonic’s Managing Director at the time, Ernest Fleischmann. Praised for its imaginative programming and expert and enthusiastic performances, the New Music Group is recognized as one of the leading performing groups of its kind in the country.
Kraft headed the ensemble from 1981-85 and was followed by two other leading American composers: John Harbison (New Music Advisor and later Composer-in-Residence from 1985-88) and Steven Stucky (Composer-in-Residence and later the Philharmonic’s Consulting Composer for New Music). The ensemble’s annual Green Umbrella series at Walt Disney Concert Hall is currently guided by John and Samantha Williams Creative Chair John Adams. The upcoming 2021-22 season has concerts guest curated by flutist/composer Nathalie Joachim and composer/media artist Pamela Z, violinist Pekka Kuusisto, and composer Ellen Reid, composer inti figgis-vizueta and cellist Jay Campbell, and the inventive Noon to Midnight extended event, with music of Louis Andriessen, curated and conducted by John Adams.
Viola
Teng Li
Percussion
Joseph Pereira
Amy Ksander*
Eduardo Meneses*
Abby Savell*
Piano
Joanne Pearce Martin*
Vicki Ray*
Harp
Emily Levin*
Julie Smith Phillips*
*guest artist