The Ensemble UMZE established in 1997, has its roots in a chamber music ensemble founded in Budapest in 1911 which was closely linked to the works of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály from the outset. The twin aims of the Ensemble UMZE are to perform the most significant works of the 20th century and to inspire the composition of new works in and outside Hungary. The initiative to form an ensemble came from Zoltán Rácz (artistic director of the Amadinda Percussion Group) and the musicologist András Wilhelm, who also provides its theoretical background. After many concerts staged in Hungary (Budapest Spring and Autumn Festivals, Szombathely Festival of New Music, etc.), the Ensemble UMZE began its international career at the Akademie der Künste in Berlin and the ZKM in Karlsruhe. In 2001 they were invited to the Acanthes Festival, Avignon where they participated in the work of the composition and conducting courses and gave concerts. In May 2002 they gave a concert at the Vienna Festwochen, with Peter Eötvös conducting.

Current performances of UMZE Chamber Ensemble
Koncertkalendárium (www.muzsikalendarium.hu)