The composer, violinist, conductor and visual artist helped contemporary music-making in Austria become a lively and professional environment through his continuous work over the decades, for example with his ensemble die reihe (1958 to 2019, with Kurt Schwertsik). His compositions for various genres have borne a personal signature from the beginning, changing and evolving with him. Since 1969 he has also been a regular guest on ORF musikprotokoll.

The ORF has dedicated numerous broadcasts to Friedrich Cerha.