Marc Ponthus

Marc Ponthus pioneered the monographic solo piano recital of leading avant-garde composers from the second half of the 20th century, devoting entire programs to Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Iannis Xenakis and others. He has performed extensively in North America and abroad in London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Beijing and featured in many contemporary music festivals. Ponthus has recorded for Neuma Records, Lorelt Records and Bridge Records. His recording of the complete piano music of Pierre Boulez released in 2016 was chosen Editor's Choice by Gramophone Magazine. https://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature/editors-choice-recordings-april-2016 Ponthus has conducted the LowerEastsideEnsemble, the IFCP Ensemble and the Project Webern Orchestra in addition to staging and directing contemporary chamber operas. Ponthus is the founder and director of the Institute and Festival for Contemporary Performance in New York.

A recipient of the Tanne Foundation Award for achievement in the arts, he incorporates video collage in live performances. He has written and directed experimental short films which have been chosen official selections at international festivals (NewFilmMakers New York, IndyFest Film Awards, Revelation Perth Int Film Festival, Northeast Int Film Festival).

New York Times/Anne Midgette/Feb 19 2002 Performance of complete Xenakis piano music. Steinways be warned - a Frenchman is on the rampage https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/19/arts/music-review-steinways-be-warned-a-frenchman-is-on-the-rampage.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/20/arts/music/review-festival-for-contemporary-performance-opens-with-film-boulez-and-chaos.html "Coaxing Out the Music That's Hiding in the Chaos", New York Times, April 1, 1994</ref>

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Ponthus has been involved in humanitarian issues, writing for the London newspaper The Independent about his experiences in war-torn Sarajevo.

https://web.archive.org/web/20130421200702/http://www.marcponthus.net/

References

Boston Globe/Richard Dyer/March 5, 1993 Marc Ponthus Masters Boulez for a Brilliant Debut https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/294760053.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+5%2C+1993&author=Dyer%2C+Richard&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=&desc=Marc+Ponthus+masters+Boulez+for+brilliant+debut

New York Times/Allan Kozinn/June 17, 2004 In Summertime Enrichment, the new and familiar mix - IFCP concert https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/17/arts/music-review-in-summertime-enrichment-the-new-and-the-familiar-mix.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A18%22%7D

Boston Globe/Richard Dyer/May 22, 1996 - From Bosnia to Boston - A musical escape inspired by concerts under fire, oboist plays her way to New England Conservatory https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/290782398.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+22%2C+1996&author=Dyer%2C+Richard&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&edition=&startpage=&desc=From+Bosnia+to+Boston%3A+A+musical+escape+Inspired+by+concerts+under+fire%2C+oboist+plays+her+way+to+New+England+Conservatory

Boston Globe/Richard Dyer/Feb 12 1995 Marc Ponthus - An Artist who "shows up" https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/290714925.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+12%2C+1995&author=Dyer%2C+Richard&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Marc+Ponthus+--+an+artist+%60who+shows+up%27&pf=1

New York Times/April 1, 1994/Edward Rothstein All Stockhausen concert - Coaxing out the music that's hiding in the chaos https://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/01/arts/review-recital-coaxing-out-the-music-that-s-hiding-in-the-chaos.html

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/requiem-for-sarajevo-the-pianist-marc-ponthus-is-haunted-by-the-experience-of-giving-a-recital-amid-the-slaughter-of-a-city-1469177.html

New York Times/James R Oestreich/Oct 26 1990 - Marc Ponthus at Weill Hall - all Boulez program https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/26/arts/classical-music-in-review-578591.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A18%22%7D

http://www.allmusic.com/album/xenakis-complete-music-for-piano-ravel-gaspard-de-la-nuit-mw0001848439