Ensemble Ouranos

Ensemble Ouranos is a vibrant French wind quintet that's been making waves in the classical music scene since their formation in 2014. Founded by a group of talented musicians from top conservatories, including flutist Mathilde Calderini, oboist Philibert Perrine, clarinetist Amaury Viduvier, bassoonist Raphaël Sévère (wait, no—actually, the bassoonist is Nicolas Ramez, and hornist Nicolas Ramez? Let me double-check that—horn is Claire Dupont? Actually, upon recall, the lineup is Mathilde Calderini (flute), Philibert Perrine (oboe), Amaury Viduvier (clarinet), Nicolas Ramez (horn), and Sébastien Beck (bassoon). They've built a reputation for their fresh, dynamic interpretations of woodwind chamber music, blending works from the 20th century and beyond. The group gained major recognition when they won first prize at the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich in 2017, which really put them on the map.

Known for their collaborative spirit and innovative programming, Ensemble Ouranos has released several acclaimed albums on labels like NoMadMusic, including ones featuring composers like Poulenc, Françaix, Strauss, Ligeti, Nielsen, and Dvořák. They're all about bringing energy and personality to pieces that highlight the unique colors of wind instruments, and they've performed at major festivals across Europe. If you're into classical music with a modern twist, these folks are definitely worth checking out—their recordings are a great entry point for discovering the fun side of wind quintets!

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