Benjamin Fingland
With performances capturing “spiritedness and humor”, “unflagging precision and energy” (The New York Times) and playing described as “something magical” (The Boston Globe), Benjamin Fingland interprets many styles of music on a variety of clarinets. An avid proponent of new music, he has premiered numerous works in recital at such New York City institutions as Merkin Concert Hall and the Museum of Modern Art, and internationally at Japan’s Kyoto Music Festival and festivals in the Ukraine, Russia and South America. He plays frequently with the International Contemporary Ensemble, and has performed with the New York New Music Ensemble, Continuum, Ensemble 21, The Locrian Chamber Players, the Argento Chamber Ensemble, the American Modern Ensemble and Sequitur. He has also collaborated, recorded, and toured with a wide variety of other artists – ranging in scope from Pierre Boulez and the Ensemble Intercontemporain to jazz legend Ornette Coleman and pop icon Sir Elton John. Mr. Fingland has held principal clarinet positions with the Prometheus Chamber orchestra and the New Haven Symphony, and is the co-founder of Piaclava – a touring piano, clarinet and viola trio dedicated to educational outreach. He has Bachelor and Master of music degrees from the Juilliard School, and is on the faculty of the Third Street Music School Settlement in New York City.