ENSEMBLE K:
Founded at the end of 2019 and based in the Hauts-de-France region in Croix (59), K is a multicultural orchestra with a universal vocation, led by Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes. The musicians who make up the ensemble met on the Lille-Brussels-Paris axis, and share the same modern, open-minded vision of classical music. K’s programming explores works from the four corners of the globe and from different eras, testifying to its commitment to diversity and artistic flexibility, enabling it to explore a multitude of musical repertoires.
Simone Menezes:
Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes, based in France since 2017, is a visionary musician known for her creativity and innovative spirit, brilliantly combining classical and contemporary repertoire. Whether as founder and artistic director of Ensemble K, as a sought-after guest conductor with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, or in her incredibly creative projects that combine music with other arts, Simone Menezes has established herself as a rising artist of a new generation.
VIDEO
PRESS REVIEW
“The Ensemble K gave a fine performance under the spirited and fluid direction of Simone Menezes. The violinists Nicolas Dupont and Romuald Grimbert Barré, in particular, mastered the virtuosic solo passages with confidence and a warm, romantic tone. For this outstanding overall performance, the well-filled Pierre Boulez Hall rightly offered enthusiastic applause.”
Berliner Morgenpost, Mario Felix-Vogt, 27.09.24
“Gorgeous… genuinely enjoyable and exciting!”
BBC Musique Magazine
“Founded in 2019 by Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes, Ensemble K calls itself: Klassic, Kosmopolitan, Kréatif, Konnected. And it’s true!”
Le Monde
PROJECTS 2025/26/27 – A SELECTION
Programs und Projects upon request.
Upon request
SCHEHERAZADE – A Tale
“Scheherazade has always fascinated me,” says Simone Menezes about the character from the collection of tales known as One Thousand and One Nights, the inspiration for Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic poem, among many other works. But the stereotypical depictions in literature, music, and film hardly do justice to this fabled storyteller: “Scheherazade’s greatness goes far beyond that—she represents an archetype of female heroism.” Based on a new chamber arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov’s music, Menezes and her Ensemble K have created a concert project including excerpts from One Thousand and One Nights, ancient love poetry, and newly written dialogue to provide a contemporary look at this legendary character. A panel discussion on the preceding evening will explore additional perspectives.
Cast:
14 musicians (string quintet, wind quintet, trumpet, trombone, percussion and piano)
2 narrators
Conductor: Simone Menezes
“The Ensemble K, founded by conductor Simone Menezes, pursues a visionary interpretation of classical music. It consists of fourteen virtuoso soloists who bring not only technical perfection but also personal interpretation to their performances. Menezes and her ensemble often collaborate with artists from various disciplines in their projects, creating interdisciplinary works that go beyond pure music. This openness to new forms and approaches is also evident in the Scheherazade recording, which transports the listener into unfamiliar soundscapes.”
Online Merker, Dirk Schauß, September 2024
Availability upon request
COSMOS
The Planets from Gustav Holst (…and Jung’s Archetypes)
Archetypes are like ancient characters living within our soul—invisible figures that guide and shape who we are. They are echoes of the past, like the shadow of a sage, the heart of a lover, or the courage of a warrior, dwelling within each of us.
Every archetype is a universal image that we all recognize, even without having seen it before—like stars in an inner sky that illuminate our dreams, our choices, and our challenges. These archetypes are always present, whispering stories of our lives and revealing paths that transcend time.
The planets can be associated with personality archetypes, reflecting both astrology and the universal aspects of the human psyche as described by Carl Jung. In Gustav Holst’s The Planets, we find a rich tapestry that captures not only the cosmic energy of the planets but also the profound archetypes they represent.
Today, we delve into the concept of archetypes by associating each musical movement of Holst’s work with the archetypes that reside within each of us.
Cast:
ENSMEBLE K and Simone Menezes
Narrator: Volodia Serra
Repertoire :
Nicolas Bacri – Via-Lactea/zodiaque 5 min
Gustav Holst – The planets (orchestration George Morton)
I. Mars, the bringer of War – The Warrior
II. Venus, the bringer of Peace – The Lover
III. Mercury, the winged messenger – The explorer
IV. Jupiter, the bringer of Jollity – The King
V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age – The wiser
VI. Uranus, The Magician – The magician
VII. Neptune, the Mystic – The mystic
