# musicAeterna

> Russian orchestra and choir founded by Teodor Currentzis

**Wikidata**: [Q105296699](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105296699)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MusicAeterna)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/musicaeterna

## Summary
musicAeterna is a Russian musical ensemble that functions as both an orchestra and a choir. Founded in 2004 by the conductor Teodor Currentzis, the group serves as a vocal-musical ensemble based in Saint Petersburg. It is known for performing a broad repertoire that spans Byzantine, early, classical, Romantic, and contemporary classical music.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** musicAeterna (also known as musicÆterna)
- **Type of Entity:** Orchestra, choir, and vocal-musical ensemble
- **Founder:** Teodor Currentzis (also serves as conductor and director)
- **Founding Year:** 2004
- **Country:** Russia
- **Location of Formation:** Novosibirsk
- **Current Headquarters:** Saint Petersburg (relocated in 2019)
- **Genres:** Byzantine music, early music, classical music, Romantic music, contemporary classical music
- **Record Labels:** Sony Classical, Alpha Classics
- **Official Website:** https://musicaeterna.org (Available in Russian and English)

## FAQs
### Q: Who founded musicAeterna?
musicAeterna was founded by the Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis in 2004. He continues to serve as the ensemble's musical conductor and director.

### Q: Where is musicAeterna based?
While the ensemble was originally formed in Novosibirsk in 2004, its headquarters have been located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, since 2019.

### Q: What type of music does musicAeterna perform?
The ensemble performs a diverse range of musical styles, including Byzantine music, early music, classical and Romantic traditions, and contemporary classical music.

## Why It Matters
musicAeterna represents a significant force in the contemporary classical landscape, largely due to the singular artistic vision of its founder, Teodor Currentzis. Unlike standard orchestral institutions, musicAeterna operates as a unified body comprising both an orchestra and a professional choir. This integrated structure allows for a versatile performance style that navigates seamlessly between eras—from the distinct sonorities of Byzantine and early music to the complexities of contemporary classical compositions.

The ensemble's relocation from Novosibirsk to Saint Petersburg in 2019 marked a strategic shift into one of Russia's primary cultural capitals, solidifying its status in the global classical music scene. Their recordings, released through major labels such as Sony Classical and Alpha Classics, have contributed to a renewed international interest in historically informed performance and radical interpretations of standard repertoire. By maintaining a dedicated vocal ensemble alongside the orchestra, musicAeterna offers a comprehensive approach to large-scale choral works that few other single institutions can match.

## Notable For
- **Hybrid Structure:** Operating simultaneously as a symphony orchestra and a choir (vocal-musical ensemble).
- **Broad Repertoire:** Spanning from Byzantine and early music to modern contemporary classical works.
- **Artistic Leadership:** Being exclusively founded and directed by the renowned conductor Teodor Currentzis.
- **Geographic Shift:** Notable for its transition from formation in Novosibirsk to establishing headquarters in Saint Petersburg in 2019.
- **Global Distribution:** Maintaining a recording presence on major international labels like Sony Classical.

## Body

### Formation and Leadership
musicAeterna was established in **2004** in **Novosibirsk, Russia**. The ensemble was created by **Teodor Currentzis**, who remains the central figure of the organization, holding titles as the founder, musical conductor, and general director. The group functions as a distinct instance of an **orchestra**, a **choir**, and a **vocal-musical ensemble**.

### Location and Operations
The ensemble was originally formed in Siberia but shifted its operational center in **2019**. As of that year, the **headquarters** for musicAeterna is listed as **Saint Petersburg**. The organization maintains an active digital presence through its official website and various social media platforms, including Telegram, VK, and YouTube.

### Musical Repertoire and Style
The ensemble is defined by a wide-ranging musical scope. Its classified genres include:
*   **Byzantine music**
*   **Early music**
*   **Classical music**
*   **Romantic music**
*   **Contemporary classical music**

### Recordings and Media
musicAeterna has a significant footprint in the recording industry. The ensemble produces music under the labels **Sony Classical** and **Alpha Classics** (as well as additional catalogues identified by identifier Q124896885). Their media distribution spans major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Deezer.

The ensemble maintains a notable presence on YouTube:
*   **Main Channel:** "musicAeterna" (created July 26, 2019)
*   **Topic Channels:** Several automated "Topic" channels exist for the distribution of their recorded works.

### Identifiers and Aliases
The entity is officially recognized as **musicAeterna**, though it also uses the stylized alias **musicÆterna** and the Cyrillic transliteration **MьюзикЭтėрна**. It is registered under various international authority control systems, including the Library of Congress (no2009067016) and VIAF (307289664).

## References

1. CiNii Research
2. MusicBrainz
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File