ENSEMBLE K

“Ensemble K describes itself as Klassic, Kosmopolitan, Kréatif, Konnected, and it’s true!” Le Monde

Ensemble K consists of a core group of 14 soloists who share a cosmopolitan and curious vision of music, performing classical, 20th-century, and contemporary repertoire. For the ensemble, a concert is not merely an intellectual experience but an encounter between intellect, emotions, and spirit.

Founded in 2019 by Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes, Ensemble K describes itself as Klassic, Kosmopolitan, Kréatif, Konnected, and Le Monde praised the group’s unique vision, stating, “And it's true!” Since her debut it has been performed in major concert halls worldwide in Milan, Rome, Paris, Viena, Berlin, among others.

The ensemble’s first album, Accents, reflects this ethos by highlighting extra-European influences in Western classical

music. Their 2021 release, Metanoia, features works by Puccini, Bach, Villa-Lobos, and Pärt. This project, which explores music and art as vehicles of transcendence and beauty in dialogue with other artistic forms, was awarded the 2023 International Classical Music Award for Best Documentary/Performance in Classical Music.

In 2022, Ensemble K presented Beauty Will Save the World, which included music by Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and Brahms.

This project marked the closing of the Women’s Pavilion at the Universal Exposition in Dubai, culminating in a live recording concert at Dubai Opera. That same year, the ensemble revisited Holst’s The Planets in collaboration with artist Mathias Duhamel, who performed live painting during the concert.

Their latest project, Scheherazade, A Tale, released as a double CD under Alpha Classics, premiered at the Pierre Boulez Saal. This ambitious work integrates Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade with a narrative component, creating a rich and immersive experience. The project was acclaimed by the international press and also made available as a streaming concert.

Beyond performances, Ensemble K is deeply engaged in social and educational initiatives in Northern France, working closely with schools and women in challenging situations. Through music and partnerships with other arts, the ensemble fosters expression and supports the rebuilding of individual identity.