Firm Helps Ensemble Signal Hit High Note

Hughes Hubbard & Reed set the stage for pro bono client Ensemble Signal to bring its brand of contemporary classical music to a variety of audiences in 2015.

Hughes Hubbard drafted various contracts that allowed the group to perform both within and outside of New York year-round at such diverse venues as the Lincoln Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the University of Buffalo.

In January, Ensemble Signal was among the various musicians who performed works by composers Steve Reich and Stephen Sondheim for a concert at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. The concert was part of a seminar featuring a discussion with Reich and Sondheim. The seminar earned a review in The New York Times.

In May, Signal released a new recording of Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians," a 1976 masterpiece that is considered one of the landmarks of 20th century music. The Boston Globe said this new version bests two earlier recordings of the work. The New York Times recently listed it as one of the best classical recordings of 2015.

Signal also appeared twice at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles in May. Signal performed Reich's "Three Tales," a three-act video opera about advancing technology, and "Shelter" by Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe.

In the summer, Signal performed David Felder's "Les Quatre Temps Cardinaux" at the June in Buffalo festival, held at the University of Buffalo from May 29 through June 7.

In August, Ensemble Signal performed composer Tristan Perich's "Active Field" at the Mission Sound in Brooklyn. Signal released a recording of the composition in November.

Described by The New York Times as "one of the most vital groups of its kind," Ensemble Signal is a critically acclaimed nonprofit arts organization. Founded in 2008 by Lauren Radnofsky and Brad Lubman, Signal has toured the world and released six recordings.

Michael Salzman, Lena Saltos and Caroline Parker-Beaudrias represented Ensemble Signal on these matters.