The ensemble recherche is one of the most distinguished new music ensembles: with over 500 first performances since its founding in 1985, it has played a major role in shaping the development of contemporary chamber and ensemble music. The nine-piece ensemble of soloists helps define the international music scene with its own dramaturgical line. In addition to its extensive concert schedule, the ensemble is involved in musical theatre, radio and film projects, offers courses for composers and instrumentalists, and holds open rehearsals for children and young people. Its repertoire includes classics of the late 19^th century, Impressionists and Expressionists, composers of the Second Viennese and Darmstadt Schools, the Spectralists and today’s experimental avant-gardists. Another focus is on works composed before 1700, interpreted from a contemporary perspective. The broad spectrum of the repertoire is also reflected in about 50 CDs, many of which have been awarded international prizes. Together with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra the ensemble recherche organises the annual Ensemble Academy Freiburg, which serves as a forum for the further education of professional musicians in ensemble playing of historical and contemporary music and aims at the mutual interaction of the two musical directions. The members of the ensemble recherche teach at music universities and at the renowned Darmstadt International Summer Course for New Music.