Ensemble Ernst was founded in 1997 at the Valkyrien Café in Oslo after its members had played together on an informal basis for two years. The ensemble originated from a group of friends sharing the interest in performing new music. Today the musicians remain commited to the ensemble´s development and in many ways they are still running it themselves. The original line up is also close to un-changed.

Their repertoire has been a blend of contemporary music Norwegian music and a continental line of composer like Grisey, Murail and Sciarrino. The ensemble has commisioned and/or premiered works by Lene Grenager, Mark Adderley, Jon Øivind Ness, Helge Sunde, Kaare Dyvik Husby, Sven Lyder Kahrs and others. 

Thomas Rimul has been the artistic leader and conductor since the start in 1997.