DissonArt Ensemble is a contemporary classical music ensemble based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The ensemble was founded in 2005 by a group of young musicians who shared a passion for contemporary music and a desire to explore new sounds and techniques. The founding members of DissonArt Ensemble were Kostas Tzekos (conductor), Thodoris Vazakas (clarinet), Thodoris Kotzas (violin), and Kostas Sarypidis (piano). Over the years, the ensemble has expanded to include a range of instruments and performers, including percussion, cello, and voice. From the beginning, DissonArt Ensemble has been committed to promoting contemporary classical music and collaborating with composers to create new works. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered numerous pieces by Greek and international composers, including works by Georges Aperghis, Beat Furrer, and Helmut Lachenmann. One of the highlights of DissonArt Ensemble's early years was their participation in the 2006 International Festival of Contemporary Music in Patras, Greece. The ensemble performed works by Greek composers, including Kostas Tzekos and Dimitris Maronidis, and received critical acclaim for their innovative interpretations and virtuosic performances. In 2008, DissonArt Ensemble was invited to perform at the prestigious Gaudeamus Music Week in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The ensemble performed works by Dutch and Greek composers, including Louis Andriessen and Yannis Kyriakides, and was praised for their "impressive technical skills and musical sensitivity" by the festival organizers. Since then, DissonArt Ensemble has continued to perform at major festivals and venues around the world, including the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival in the UK, the Festival d'Automne à Paris in France, and the Donaueschinger Musiktage in Germany. In addition to their performances, DissonArt Ensemble has also been recognized for their contributions to contemporary classical music. In 2010, the ensemble was awarded the prestigious Greek State Prize for Music for their "outstanding contribution to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary music in Greece and abroad." Over the years, DissonArt Ensemble has undergone some changes in membership, but the ensemble's commitment to promoting contemporary classical music and collaborating with composers remains unchanged. Today, the ensemble is led by Kostas Tzekos and includes a range of talented performers from Greece and beyond. In recent years, DissonArt Ensemble has continued to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music, collaborating with artists from other disciplines and exploring new forms of expression. In 2019, the ensemble premiered a new work by composer and multimedia artist Panayiotis Kokoras, which combined live performance with interactive video and sound installations. As DissonArt Ensemble approaches its 20th anniversary, the ensemble remains a vital force in the world of contemporary classical music, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring audiences around the world with their innovative and virtuosic performances.

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