NOW Ensemble

Contemporary-music ensembles organized by young musicians and composers are sprouting at a quick pace, and each season seems to bring a couple of new ones. The situation is no different in New York, naturally, where an even greater number of groups are being formed, including the NOW Ensemble, with three composers among its seven members. On its first recording, it makes a point of playing happy music with a pop sensibility that’s nonetheless pretty rigorous.

The ensemble’s label also had the good sense to stream the disc’s seven works , the longest of which is ten minutes, on its website for free. The melancholy flute line, above bobbing piano chords, of Judd Greenstein’s Folk Music is one of the disc’s highlights, and it’s on the group’s site, but Nico Muhly’s equally absorbing How About Now isn’t. Like a lot of Muhly’s music, the energetic throb has a poppish sensibility but takes a crack team of players to pull off easily.

And can this group make it sound easy. Flutist Alexandra Sopp and clarinetist Sara Phillips shine as soloists and as ensemble players, and pianist Michael Mizrahi does as well. Greenstein’s works open and close the disc, starting and ending it on a clean and pure current.

Go to newamsterdamrecords.com to stream the pieces.