Founded in 1976 by Pierre Boulez with the support of the then state secretary of culture, Michel Guy, Ensemble Intercontemporain consists of thirty-one solo instrumentalists who devote themselves exclusively to contemporary music - from the twentieth-century classics to the compositions of today, which they present in some seventy concerts each season. It works closely with composers to explore new instrumental techniques and to carry out projects that combine music with dance, theater, cinema, video, and the visual arts. Its director until 1978 was Pierre Boulez, followed by Peter Eötvös (1979-91), David Robertson (1992-9), and Jonathan Nott (2000-05). It is presently headed by the Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki. Every year Ensemble Intercontemporain commissions new works and presents new scores, enlarging its repertoire and adding to the masterpieces of modern music. Its musicians are also actively involved in youth work and further education, offering "musical plays" for young people, advanced training courses for up-and-coming instrumentalists, conductors, and composers, and projects to attract a broad audience to new music. Since 1995 the ensemble has maintained permanent headquarters in the Cité de la Musique in Paris. It regularly gives guest concerts throughout France and abroad, particularly at the great international festivals and contemporary music series. Its members form the teaching staff of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY. Ensemble Intercontemporain is supported by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication and the City of Paris.
LUCERNE FESTIVAL début, on 2 September 1985, with works by Holliger and Boulez under the direction of Pierre Boulez.