During almost twenty years contemporary music in Croatia lives through the activities of the Cantus Ensemble, which is Croatia’s finest ensemble that specializes in contemporary classical music. It was founded in 2001 in order to explore, discover and present new and hitherto unexplored spheres of New Music. 

 

The Ensemble has become an important and indispensable figure at the Croatian music scene, and from 2006 it has hosted its own concert cycle. In 2008, it became the official ensemble of the World Music Days of the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) held in Vilnius, after which their international performances have increased significantly. 

Approximately 130 first performances, over 500 performed pieces and more than 50 international performances (in most of European countries as well as in Mexico, Canada and China), together with collaborations with numerous prominent soloists and conductors attest to the importance of the Cantus Ensemble on national and international scene. They collaborate with a number of eminent contemporary music ensembles, and have also participated in international projects supported by the Culture Council of the EU such as Re: New Music and New Music: New Audiences.

 

One of the major components of this Ensemble’s activities are their guest performances at the leading festivals of contemporary music. In 2016 they selected for their triple CD live recordings of their performances throughout Croatia and abroad, thus emphasizing the importance of the moment in the process of creating a contemporary music piece.