The Esbjerg Ensemble was founded on the initiative of the Danish Ministry of Culture in 1967, as the first professional chamber ensemble in Denmark. The task then was the same as now: performing classical chamber music at the highest level, mainly in south-west Jutland, but also nationally an internationally.

For almost 40 years the Esbjerg Ensemble has set the standard for chamber music in Denmark and has had a great impact on the cultural life of the entire region. The ensemble is acclaimed for its innovative programming and its natural versatility, delighting audiences with its unique performances of traditional as well as contemporary chamber music. Inspired by the Esbjerg experience, four more chamber groups (known as basis ensembles) have been formed in various parts of Denmark.

Today, the Esbjerg Ensemble consists of 12 musicians from all over the world, including wind quintet, string quintet, piano and percussion. The members, apart from their high level of intrumental skills, have been specially selected on their ability to work within a chamber group.

This uniquely flexible grouping allows for an enourmous repertoire, from baroque to contemporary, from solo works to compositions for chamber orchestra. At the centre of the group's efforts to communicate and develop the calssical chamber music tradition stands the exquisite chamber concert hall at the Vestjysk Musikkonservatorium (West Jutland Academy of Music) where concerts are presented to local audiences. At the same time, Danmarks Radio broadcasts its concerts throughout the country. At the Academy, close collaboration between students and the group has led to an increased focus on the practice and skills involved in performing classical chamber music.

Recordings form an important part of the ensemble's working practice. Early LPs and present-day CDs present music by composers including Beethoven, Mozart, Shostakovich and Fauré. Most notable, however, are the recordings of the Danish music - by Carl Nielsen, Bent Sørensen, Karl Aage Rasmussen and Per Nørgård, to name a few.

In addition to concerts in Denmark, the Esbjerg Ensemble appears internationally - most recently at concerts in the U.S.A. and China, as well as in Gemany, France and the Scandinavian neighbour countries.

The Esbjerg Ensemble has always had a close relationship with contemporaty composers. Its annual workshop, allowing young composers to collaborate with the ensemble has become an institution in Danish musical life. The group also woks closely with the Danish State "Resident Composer" scheme, set up in 2001. To date Anders Brødsgaard and Ivar Frounberg have benefited from the scheme. Morten Olsen is the current resident, until 2008.