The “Kammerensemble der ZHdK” performs the repertoire of chamber music with large ensembles up to the chamber orchestra. This ranges from works of the Romantic period to conducted chamber music of the 20th century, such as the Chamber Symphony op. 9 by Arnold Schönberg and the Divertimento op. 30 by Adolf Busch. There is close collaboration with the conducting and recording classes.
Special attention is given to rarely performed and unpublished works. In 2018, for example, the Kammerensemble performed and recorded for the first time the previously unprinted Octet by Brahms’ pupil Heinrich XXIV Fürst Reuß zu Köstritz (1855–1910).
The Kammerensemble also offers the opportunity for solo performances by selected musicians from the university. In April 2021, for example, the unpublished 1935 orchestral version of Franz Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata by the Swiss cellist Antonio Tusa (1900–1982) was performed via livestream. In December 2021, the Piano Concerto No. 6 “La Suisse” by the Swiss composer Caroline Boissier-Butini (1786–1836) was also performed in the Kleine Tonhalle.