Artists

ensemble 132

ensemble132 is an American collective of soloists and chamber musicians of the highest caliber, uniting with a shared mission to reimagine the chamber music landscape. The only group of its kind to continually create and premiere new standards in the chamber music repertoire with its artist-crafted arrangements, ensemble132 excites the imagination of audiences across the country with its uniquely genre-defying programs.

At every e132 event, audiences can expect a one-of-a-kind chamber music experience characterized by ensemble132’s versatile artistry and limitless programming possibilities. Chamber ballets, transcriptions of symphonies and jazz standards, and orchestrations of solo works comprise just a few of ensemble132’s programming highlights. Each member of ensemble132’s dynamic roster, all with stellar careers and accolades, brings their unique blend of uncompromising individuality and collaborative spirit to traditional masterworks as well as unearthed gems.

The group’s arrangements have been praised by critics and renowned musicians alike as “Audacious… liberating… illuminating” (Jon Sobel), “absolutely terrific … a delight … [they] succeed in opening up the sound of the piece in meaningful ways” (Robert McDonald), and “a fresh approach to music that is second to none” (Herbert Greenberg). ensemble132 frequently features solo and duo performances in its events, further expanding musical possibilities while spotlighting the extraordinary artistic voices of its individual members.

e132 plays in every space imaginable, often collaborating with local arts organizations and presenting interactive arrangement workshops that engage audiences even more intimately. The artists of ensemble132 have collaborated closely at music festivals such as Marlboro, Ravinia, Music@Menlo, Verbier, and Taos, and they appear regularly with ensembles such as the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Catalyst Quartet, Borromeo String Quartet, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. They are prizewinners at major competitions such as the Paganini, Joseph Joachim, Naumburg, Tibor Varga, Sibelius, Primrose, Beethoven Vienna, Vendome Prize, and American Pianists Awards.

Alongside its traditional concerts, ensemble132 takes a uniquely creative approach to community engagement, sharing the joy of musical creation through interactive workshops. At these events, e132 artists guide listeners in real time through the arranging process. ensemble132 also presents cross-disciplinary programs, such as their upcoming chamber ballet production of Stravinsky’s Petrouchka, generously funded in part by the Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Alumni Fund.