Ensemble ö!

Curiosity and consistency in the universe of contemporary music

For over two decades, Ensemble ö! has been dedicated to contemporary music and opening up new worlds. Founded in Chur in 2002 by David Sontòn Caflisch, it has established new music in a region where it previously barely existed. Today, the ensemble has 13 members and is an integral part of the Swiss music scene.

Each program forms a self-contained whole, linking compositions around thematic focal points to create an overall dramaturgy. Collaboration with various composers and the revival of works are central concerns for the ensemble. In 2019, ö! founded the Biennale Tuns Contemporans, which it organizes in collaboration with the Graubünden Chamber Philharmonic. The ensemble has performed at festivals including the Munich Biennale, the London Ear Festival and the Archipel Festival in Geneva. In 2026, it will launch a summer academy with ComposersLab in its home region and give a guest performance at the Label Suisse Festival.

When the idea of a contemporary ensemble in Graubünden first arose, people said nobody would be interested. Ensemble ö! continues to prove the opposite: with curiosity and determination.

Excerpt from the jury statement

Ensemble ö! is firmly rooted in Graubünden, performs throughout Switzerland and across Europe, and has established itself as one of the key players in contemporary music in Switzerland.