Introduction
Ensemble Contemporánea was founded in 1997 by composer Ejnar Kanding and musician Fritz Gerhard Berthelsen.
Repertoire and Expression
The repertoire is classical, as the ensemble’s expression rests on the aesthetics and specialized skills that have shaped and refined the tradition of classical score music for centuries. The classical musician’s and composer’s skills, mastery of instruments, and musical theory form the foundation for the innovation and renewal cultivated by the ensemble.
Collaboration between Musician and Composer
In the ensemble’s activities, collaboration between musician and composer is essential. The musician improvises, and the composer selects. Improvisation within defined boundaries opens new paths and visions. The oscillating process between musicians and composers ensures a meticulous elaboration of tonal color, articulation, technical passages, and rhythmic complexity.
Specialization in Live Electronics
Contemporánea specializes in performing music for instruments and computers, meaning it is an ensemble for acoustic classical score music and live electronics. It is a flexible base of musicians and visual artists who perform in various fixed formations.
Change of Direction and Focus
In 2020, the board decided to shift from an ensemble performing with various composers to a new focus primarily performing music by Ejnar Kanding. This decision is meaningful in a globalized competition to target the ensemble’s aesthetics and clarify its voice, especially in the vast array of music on various streaming platforms. This decision is a natural extension of the ensemble’s previous work, where composer portraits with an entire program dedicated to a single composer have been a significant hallmark.
International Performances
In addition to extensive concert activities in Denmark, the ensemble has toured and performed worldwide, participating in festivals such as the International Computer Music Conference, ULTIMA Festival, Nordic Music Days, International Society for Contemporary Music, MAGMA, Up North, and the Interactive Arts Performance Series at New York University.
Inclusion of Other Art Forms
Other art forms, such as painting, poetry, video, and dance, are often incorporated into the ensemble’s concerts. Concert venues are carefully selected following the music, leading to performances in diverse locations such as the NiceT nightclub in Buenos Aires, the raw cement structures of the new Danish Radio House long before it was completed, and a plateau in the Andes Mountains in Bogota.
Board
Thorbjørn Tønder Hansen, president
Fritz Gerhard Berthelsen, musician representative, founding member
Ejnar Kanding, artistic director