Ensemble LPR

Ensemble LPR is an elite assemblage of the finest New York-based concert musicians, personifying Le Poisson Rouge’s commitment to aesthetic diversity and artistic excellence. The members of the ensemble are graduates from the world’s most prestigious conservatory and university programs, and have performed at the Marlboro and Aspen Festivals and as a soloist with The New York Philharmonic and The New Jersey Symphony, to name a few accolades. There is no instrumentation too large or too small for the ensemble — ranging in size from duo to large orchestra — whose unyielding standard and rigorous devotion is to the music of the world’s finest living composers — established and emerging — as much as it is to the common practice period of classical music and collaborations with artists of non-classical backgrounds. In 2008 Le Poisson Rouge changed the classical music landscape, creating a new environment in which to experience art music and in so doing expanded the classical music listenership and pushed the popular palette in all directions. The New York Times heralded LPR as “[a] forward-thinking venue that seeks to showcase disparate musical styles under one roof…artistically planned eclecticism” and “[t]he coolest place to hear contemporary music,” and the Los Angeles Times raved “[t]he place isn’t merely cool…the venue is a downright musical marvel.” With Ensemble LPR, the minds behind Le Poisson Rouge — co-founders and musicians David Handler and Justin Kantor — bring this same ethos to the creative forefront, bringing the same daring and merit to its own artistry. Past performances include Gavin Bryars’ Sinking of the Titanic, collaboration with Moritz von Oswald at 2010’s Unsound Festival, and a tribute to the music of Arthur Russell. David Handler | Founder & Artistic Director