When does Ensemble Modern – Why We Play take place?

The screening will take place on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 19:30.

Where is the film shown?

The venue is Cinema Quadrat at K1 2, 68159 Mannheim.

How much do tickets cost?

The regular admission is 10 Euro. Reduced tickets cost 7 Euro, members of Cinema Quadrat e.V. pay 6 Euro.

What is the documentary about?

The film accompanies Ensemble Modern during rehearsals and performances and shows the creative process behind contemporary music.

Who directed Ensemble Modern – Why We Play?

The film was directed by Thorsten Schütte.

How long is the screening?

The documentary has a runtime of about 104 minutes.

Mannheim Music Film Festival 2026 Mannheim Tickets

Name: Mannheim Music Film Festival #9: Ensemble Modern – Why We Play
Start: 2026-09-28T19:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-09-28T21:14:00+02:00
Location: Cinema Quadrat

When new music becomes visible: Ensemble Modern – Why We Play in Mannheim

The Mannheim Music Film Festival #9 combines cinema, music, and festival atmosphere for a special evening at Cinema Quadrat. On September 28, 2026, the documentary Ensemble Modern – Why We Play about one of the leading international ensembles for contemporary music is scheduled.

A glimpse behind the sound scenes

Thorsten Schütte's documentary accompanies Ensemble Modern during rehearsals and performances. It focuses on the creative processes behind the music: the collective search, rejection, and further development of a musical language. Thus, contemporary music becomes not only audible but also a physical and sensual working process.

Festival evening between screen and sound

The Mannheim Music Film Festival stands for films to listen to and music to see. The ninth edition brings selected music films of the season to the cinema hall and creates space for musical portraits, artistic fingerprints, and new perspectives on the creation of music. The festival evening combines concentrated cinema experience with the community feeling of a culturally interested festival community.

Ensemble Modern and the present of music

In the film, composers Rebecca Saunders, Heiner Goebbels, and Mark Andre are among those speaking. Their work shows how the ensemble, conductor, and composition hone expression, timbre, and effect on an equal footing. The result is an intense journey of discovery into the world of modern classical music and contemporary sound art.

An evening for curious ears

With a runtime of about 104 minutes, Why We Play provides immediate access to a musical collective that is cooperatively self-managed. Instead of isolating finished concert moments, the film leads right into the festival and rehearsal culture: to the place where ideas, discussions, and precision create a common sound.

Conclusion: Experience contemporary music up close

The Mannheim Music Film Festival #9 invites you to see music in a new light and hear film in a new way. Visitors can expect an atmospheric festival evening with an exceptional documentary about creativity, collaboration, and the power of contemporary music at Cinema Quadrat. Now mark the date and discover Ensemble Modern on the big screen.