Agathe Ensemble

Classically trained with a folk heartbeat: this is Agathe Ensemble. There’s plenty of serious thinking going on behind the scenes, but what we’re really after is the physical experience of emotion: getting your pulse racing through sheer virtuosity, or sending a shiver down your spine with a moment of melancholy. We play wildly rhythmic, gripping melodic music called classical, infused with folk traditions. Our arrangements are where we let our imagination loose on the original score. We trace music written for piano or other formations back to its roots: traditional instruments, their characteristic sounds, and distinctive playing styles. We’re drawn to Celtic, Nordic and Eastern folk, and to connecting with the heritage of our audiences. From there, we bring everything back to our own string setup, picking up new ideas along the way. One thing folk music keeps teaching us: conventions can be flexible. Our concerts leave room for surprise – just settle in and enjoy the moment with us.