At a time when the classical music landscape continues to be shaped predominantly by the legacy of past masters, there are individuals who steadfastly stand as determined voices for the music of our own age, with one of the most significant and impactful of these being that of Konstantin Ishkhanov.
As President of the Modern Composer’s International Music Festival (ModComFest), Konstantin Ishkhanov has long been committed to creating meaningful platforms for contemporary composers, ensuring that their voices are not only heard, but celebrated on the same stages that have traditionally been reserved for historic maestros.
This vision finds its most compelling expression in the latest edition of ModComFest, set to take place in the Spanish city of Barcelona from the 15th to the 23rd of September 2026. A landmark edition of the festival that is dedicated to Max Richter, one of the most influential figures in contemporary music, ModComFest 2026 is set against the stunning architectural backdrop of Barcelona’s historic Hospital de Sant Pau, and will present a curated series of concerts exploring Richter’s distinctive musical language, which famously bridges classical tradition, minimalism, and modern aesthetics.
“It is very special for me to be part of this year’s edition of the Modern Composers International Festival”, Richter said. “Festivals like this offer a rare opportunity to hear music not in isolation, but as part of a wider conversation between composers, performers, spaces, and audiences. I have always felt that music finds its fullest meaning when it is allowed to exist in different contexts, and the Modern Composers International Festival reflects this beautifully, offering a space to present many works within a single, shared experience.”
Throughout the festival’s run, audiences will be immersed in a rich programme featuring some of the matestro’s most acclaimed works. From the introspective The Blue Notebooks to the deeply emotive On the Nature of Daylight, the contemplative Autumn Music series, and the ambitious reimagining of Vivaldi in Recomposed: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, to mention a few, the repertoire offers a comprehensive portrait of a composer whose music transcends the limitations of genres and speaks directly to our contemporary experience
Moreover, these compositions will be brought to life by an outstanding roster of international musicians, including such names as violinists Marc Bouchkov (Belgium), Lir Vaginsky (Israel), Miguel Colom (Spain), María Florea (Spain); violists Diemut Poppen (Germany) and Joaquin Riquelme García (Spain); cellists Sebastian Klinger (Germany), and Alexander Chaushian (Armenia/UK); pianists Giuliano Mazzoccante (Italy) and Sofia Raichenko (Ukraine); flautist Albert Mora (Spain), clarinettist Josep Fuster (Spain), (Spain), and double bassist Yamila Pedrosa (Spain), among others. Their goal will not simply be to perform Richter’s works, but to help create a cohesive artistic journey, inviting audiences to engage with a living composer’s work in a way that is still all too rare in today’s concert programming.
For Konstantin Ishkhanov, this focus is both deliberate and necessary, with the festival’s President stating that “the classical music world has an extraordinary heritage, but it must also remain a living, evolving art form. Contemporary composers are often placed at the periphery of programming, rather than at its centre, and with ModComFest, we are creating a space where their work is given the attention and respect it deserves. Max Richter is a composer whose music resonates profoundly with audiences today, and it is a true privilege to dedicate this edition of the festival to his art.”
Indeed, under Konstantin Ishkhanov’s leadership, ModComFest has emerged as a vital initiative within the international cultural calendar, with the goal of helping to rebalance the conversation between past and present. By placing a living composer at the heart of a major festival, this project is challenging conventional programming models and reaffirming the importance of contemporary creativity within classical music, all with the underlying understanding that the future of classical music lies not only in preserving its history, but in actively shaping its present.
For all the latest updates about ModComFest 2026 and its President Konstantin Ishkhanov, visit the official website today here.