Indianapolis Early Music
 | |
| Formation | 1966 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
Indianapolis Early Music (IEM) is a non-profit organization established in
Its annual summer festival spans three weekends and features American and international performers who perform on instruments of the period. Beyond the festival, IEM also presents other Early Music concerts throughout the year while also fostering educational programs in Indianapolis schools.
History
Indianapolis Early Music, originally known by its corporate name of the Festival Music Society, was founded in 1966 to provide music during the summer months when the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, now one of the few full-year U.S. orchestras, was on vacation. The IEM initially concentrated on the major works of the baroque era, such as Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. The range of music presented was soon expanded to include that of the Renaissance and Medieval periods.
Music played at IEM concerts is that of works generally composed between 900 AD and 1800 AD. Performances have included vocal music, both choral and solo; instrumental music, both ensemble and solo; and dance, court, folk and ballet. Among the more noteworthy early concerts was the 1977 performance of the cycle of seven Bach Partitas by harpsichordist Igor Kipnis in Indianapolis just before making his Grammy-nominated recordings of them for Angel Records.[2]
Outreach
IEM has a long association with public radio. Selections of IEM concerts throughout the United States and Canada are broadcast on the program Performance Today. Selections are regularly featured on the WFIU's nationally distributed Early Music program, Harmonia.[3] In addition, IEM has conducted workshops in Early Music and dance, presented a symposium and exposition of historical musical instruments, and sponsored the Collegiate Virtuoso competition. In 2016, it co-presented the International Baroque Competition of Indianapolis with the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra. Prizes include a $10,000 first prize presented by the Gerber family.
Artistic and music directors
The position of IEM music director was held by Frank Cooper for 35 years.
In 2008, IEM appointed Mark Cudek as its Artistic Director following Cooper's retirement.
References
- ^ Nuvo Newsweekly article 2009
- ^ Source: Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of 20th Century Classical Musicians (1997)
- ^ "Highlights from the 2009 Indianapolis Early Music Festival".
- ^ "Frost School of Music | University of Miami". Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2010-01-09.
- ^ "Peabody Institute - Mark Cudek: Mark Cudek". Archived from the original on 2010-06-06. Retrieved 2010-01-09.