KVAST – Ars nova

Skåne-based Ars Nova was founded in 1961 as an association for contemporary classical music and is an important driver of an open music scene, primarily in Malmö. They have arranged numerous festivals over the years. 

The ensemble by the same name engages in extensive national and international activities. It is project-based and both the size and members vary from occasion to occasion. This time, Ensemble Ars Nova comprises six musicians: Agatha Tucholka, flute; Natalie Eriksson, clarinet; Madalena Rodrigues, violin; Hillevi Hillerud, cello; Francesco Del Nero, piano; and Alessandro Perini, electronics.

The ensemble performs music by a collection of composers with various backgrounds and styles and from different generations. Swedish Karin Rehnqvist (b. 1957) is one of our most acclaimed composers, especially in her groundbreaking vocal music, as well as a founder of Kvast; Kristin Boussard (b. 1988) works in multimedia, in which visual elements are an active part of the work; Finnish composer and pianist Cecilia Damström (b. 1988) already has a large body of work that includes many forms, with a particular interest in language, text and theatre; Israeli Talia Amar (b. 1989) composes electronic music and for more traditional instrumental ensembles; English Joanna Bailie (b. 1973) has often worked in mixed forms with chamber music and installation art.