Ever since the formation of Ensemble Exposé in 1984 the music of the so-called New Complexity has formed a major part of its repertoire, not least because its founder directors included Michael Finnissy, Richard Barrett and Roger Redgate, giving the ensemble a reputation almost synonymous with the music, but also because the ensemble has an international membership of specialist performers whose commitment to the music (also as soloists) is all too rare in the UK.

In particular the ensemble has developed a close association with the music of Brian Ferneyhough, with whom it has worked on many occasions, and whose works have featured in many concerts.

The ensemble has performed a wide range of Ferneyhough’s music from the early Coloratura (1966) and Prometheus (1967) to many of the more recent compositions to date, including several first British performances. Most of the works on this disc, however, were composed within a few years of each other, after the composer’s move to San Diego in 1987, during which period he was professor of composition at UCSD, and prior to his subsequent engagement at Stanford University in 2000. Ensemble Exposé is a professional ensemble dedicated to the performance of new and experimental music.

It was formed in 1984 by the composers Richard Barrett, Roger Redgate and Michael Finnissy and has since established a reputation for its commitment to presenting the most challenging of contemporary music. The ensemble has assembled an international membership of virtuoso musicians and a repertoire whose power and directness is matched by its lack of intellectual compromise. The group has given extensive concerts and broadcasts throughout Europe and has appeared at many of the major festivals of new music in France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and the USA.