PHACE is a contemporary classical music ensemble based in Vienna, Austria. The group was founded in 1991 by composer and conductor Sven Hartberger, who remains the artistic director of the ensemble to this day. The group is known for its innovative and experimental approach to classical music, and has gained a reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic ensembles in the contemporary classical music scene. The ensemble's core members are a group of highly skilled and versatile musicians, including flutist Elisabeth Flunger, clarinetist Christoph Walder, violinist Irene Kepl, cellist Johanna Schöllhorn, and pianist Lukas Schiske. Over the years, the ensemble has also collaborated with a wide range of guest artists and composers, including Helmut Lachenmann, Georg Friedrich Haas, and Beat Furrer. PHACE has performed at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals around the world, including the Salzburg Festival, the Wien Modern Festival, and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. The ensemble has also released several critically acclaimed recordings, including their debut album "PHACE: Music for Ensemble" in 2001, and their most recent album "PHACE: Live" in 2019. One of the highlights of PHACE's career was their performance of Helmut Lachenmann's "Schreiben" at the Salzburg Festival in 2009. The piece, which was written specifically for PHACE, is a complex and challenging work that requires the ensemble to use a wide range of extended techniques and unconventional playing methods. The performance was widely praised for its technical precision and emotional intensity, and cemented PHACE's reputation as one of the leading ensembles in contemporary classical music. In addition to their performances and recordings, PHACE has also been recognized with several awards and honors over the years. In 2003, the ensemble was awarded the Ernst Krenek Prize for Music, which is given annually to outstanding contemporary music ensembles. The group was also awarded the Austrian Music Prize in 2010, in recognition of their contributions to the Austrian music scene. Overall, PHACE is a truly unique and innovative ensemble that has pushed the boundaries of classical music and inspired countless musicians and composers around the world. With their commitment to experimentation and their unwavering dedication to excellence, PHACE is sure to continue making waves in the contemporary classical music scene for many years to come.

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