Since its founding in 1980, Ensemble Modern has been among the leading New Music ensembles. It currently unites 20 soloists from nine countries. Resident in Frankfurt am Main, the ensemble is known for its unique democratic organisation and working method. Artistic projects, partnerships and financial matters are decided and implemented jointly. Its unique and distinctive programming includes musical theatre works, dance and video projects, chamber music, ensemble and orchestral concerts. Tours and guest appearances have taken it to the most renowned festivals and distinguished performance venues. The ensemble strives to achieve the highest possible degree of authenticity by working closely with the composers themselves. Its work is characterised by extraordinary and often long-term cooperative ventures with renowned artists, such as John Adams, Mark Andre, George Benjamin, Peter Eötvös, Heiner Goebbels, Mauricio Kagel, György Kurtág, Helmut Lachenmann, György Ligeti, Olga Neuwirth, Enno Poppe, Rebecca Saunders, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Steve Reich, Frank Zappa or Vito Žuraj, as well as outstanding artist personalities from other artistic genres. In addition, Ensemble Modern presents the results of its work through regular recordings. Almost 50 of the more than 150 CD productions have been released by the ensemble’s own label, Ensemble Modern Media. In 2003, the International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA) was founded as Ensemble Modern’s training centre.