The NEM

The musicians of NEM at the Domaine Forget, August 2011 (credit: Julie Bréhéret / NEM)

Founded in 1989 by pianist and conductor Lorraine Vaillancourt, le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne (NEM) is a chamber orchestra of 15 musicians. It delivers a convincing interpretation of today’s musics, by granting them the time and attention they deserve.

Reflecting a variety of aesthetics, its repertoire, is open to the music from all continents, and leaves a large amount of room to premieres. Its concerts, public rehearsals and meetings with the composers are all privileged moments of exchange and reflection.

Ensemble-in-residence at the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Music, the NEM has performed concerts in Canada, United States, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Singapore and 7 European countries (Germany, England, Austria, Belgium, France, Italy and the Netherlands).In September 2011, The NEM is going for the first time to China to take part in the Shanghai New Music Week of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Up to now, more than 130 works were composed for the ensemble.

The NEM's discography comprises 25 CDs released on the labels, ProNEM, ATMA and UMMUS (Montreal), Doberman-Yppan (Quebec), New World Records, Composers Recording Inc (New York), Auvidis Montaigne (Paris) and ABC Classics (Australia). These albums have been produced in collaboration with the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Music, Ircam, Les Percussions de Strasbourg, The Musica 93 Festival 93, the Société Radio-Canada, Radio-France and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne receives grants from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts de Montréal. The NEM is a member of le Vivier, the Conseil Québécois de la musique and Orchestras Canada.