Founded in 1980 and based in Frankfurt am Main since 1985, Ensemble Modern is one of the world’s leading new music ensembles. It was initiated by members of the National Student Orchestra of Germany to promote and adequately perform new music, and it is known for its democratic organisation. In 1987 EM became a civil-law association and its musicians company partners. It unites soloists from various origins, with Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Indian, Japan, Israel, the US and Switzerland forming the cultural matrix of the ensemble. EM performs around 100 concerts a year. Striving for the highest degree of authenticity, the musicians rehearse in close collaboration with the composers an average of 70 works each year, including about 20 world premieres.