Founded in 1983 by members of the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Scharoun Ensemble is one of Germany's most distinguished chamber music ensembles. With a broad repertoire ranging from selected Baroque compositions to chamber music works from the Classical and Romantic periods to contemporary music, the Scharoun Ensemble has been delighting audiences in Europe and overseas for over forty years. Innovative programming, sophisticated sound culture and lively interpretations are the ensemble's trademarks.
The classical octet line-up (clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, violoncello and double bass) forms the core of the Scharoun Ensemble. With the exception of Wolfram Brandl and Claudio Bohórquez, all musicians are members of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
In numerous programmes, the regular cast is supplemented by guests from the ranks of the Berliner Philharmoniker. In the course of its history, the Ensemble has also had the opportunity to work with renowned conductors. The Scharoun Ensemble has rehearsed and performed various programmes under the direction of Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, Daniel Harding and Pierre Boulez. It has also frequently performed with singers such as Barbara Hannigan, Christiane Karg, Christian Gerhaer, Simon Keenlyside and Andrew Staples.
The Scharoun Ensemble's artistic focus is on mediating between tradition and modernity. It has premiered numerous compositions from the 20th and 21st centuries, but is equally passionate about interpreting works from past centuries. The cornerstones of the repertoire include Franz Schubert's Octet D 803, with which the ensemble first introduced itself to the public in 1983, and Ludwig van Beethoven's Septet op. 20.
Since its foundation, the Scharoun Ensemble has been particularly interested in exchanging ideas with contemporary composers. György Ligeti, Hans Werner Henze, Pierre Boulez, György Kurtág and Wolfgang Rihm have accompanied the ensemble on its artistic journey, as have composers of the younger generation, including Jörg Widmann, Matthias Pintscher, David Philip Hefti and Mark André.
In addition to a busy international concert schedule, the musicians of the Scharoun Ensemble are also involved as lecturers at various international chamber music academies, including the Zermatt Music Festival, which they founded and artistically organised in 2005. In addition to high-calibre concerts, musical workshops are held here every summer, offering young musicians the opportunity to work with the members of the Scharoun Ensemble.
The Scharoun Ensemble owes its name to the architect of its parent building: Hans Scharoun (1893-1972) created a concert hall that is unique in the world with the Berlin Philharmonie, which dares to synthesise innovation and an awareness of tradition and opens up new ways of artistic communication - ideals to which the Scharoun Ensemble is also committed.