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Ryoji Ikeda: music for strings

Ensemble Modern

two violinist playing the violin diagonally from each other

Ensemble Modern is a curious loudspeaker for music of our times: courageous, uncompromising, energetic. An essential, aesthetically polyglot amplifier for trend-setting sound concepts.

Ikeda came to international renown with his kaleidoscopic sound sculptures, in which electronics and new technologies play key roles. With mathematical precision, he artfully orchestrates sound, images and physical phenomena into performances and installations. With these experiences as a starting point, Ikeda has now accepted the challenge of transferring his working methods to purely acoustic compositions which he is writing especially for Ensemble Modern.  

In 2024, Ensemble Modern was awarded with the Silver Lion of the Biennale Musica di Venezia. The diverse, self-administered work of Ensemble Modern never stops questioning musical and concert conventions. 

Get the most out of the weekend with a 10% discount when you purchase for 2 or 3 shows and 20% discount when you purchase all 4. 

Produced by the Barbican

Members enjoy 20% off tickets.

No booking fees. 

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Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices for this performance.

20% discount for corporate members capped at 20.

Become a Corporate Member

10% discount for bookers for 2 or 3 shows.

20% discount for bookers for all 4 shows.

£12

Aged 16–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

Subject to availability.

Wheelchair spaces and free companion seats may now be booked online. 

Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts.

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

Booking British Sign Language or Captioned Seats: Select seats in the area appropriate to your needs.

*Excludes £4 booking fee

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