Ensemblia

The city of Mönchengladbach, in conjunction with the NRW KULTURsekretariat, has organised the “Ensemblia” since 1979. Every two years, productions of contemporary music are staged at various locations throughout the city, many of which also offer links to other art forms. The chamber music format is the central focus of this festival combining music, theatre, dance and fine art, which is now the longest established of its kind in Germany.

The jubilee of “Ensemblia” will be celebrated from May 20th to May 24th 2009 under the title “Visionen Aufbrüche Risiken” (“Visions Departures Risks”). More than ever before, the emphasis will be on breaking out of classical listening habits and breaking down traditional borders between genres, as well as overcoming geographical barriers for the first time. As a main focus, close co-operation is planned with the cities of Krefeld, Neuss, Moers and Viersen, as well as with other institutions in the Niederrhein area and in the Netherlands, the effects of which will resonate much further afield.

The composition competition, held since 1980, has for decades been a matter of great international interest and has resulted in numerous premieres and first performances of original works. In 2009, conditions for the competition will be announced for the first time in co-operation with the city of Krefeld and the “Inselfestival Hombroich” in Neuss. The intention is to hold the final rehearsals on the island of Hombroich in the presence of the composers. The first performances are to be held on May 23rd in Mönchengladbach and on May 24th on the island; the city of Krefeld will then stage the work of the winner of the first prize during their series of concerts. The youth festival “Ensemblia U21”, first staged in 2007, will also shine brightly throughout the region and will be prepared in advance at workshops in local schools.

The Niederrheinische Sinfoniker under the direction of Graham Jackson will give the opening concert, while the final performance of the festival will be the premiere of “…Küche, Diele, Bad…” (“Kitchen, Hallway, Bathroom”), a video and music installation for three quartets and three video projectors by Thomas Witzmann. The theatre, ballet ensemble, various museums and the music school will also be involved in a whole series of small-scale and large-scale events. “Ensemblia” will be additionally supported by galleries, foundations and business organisations.