Ensemble Marsyas

Ensemble Marsyas 

Josep Domenech Lafont oboe
Molly Marsh oboe
Peter Whelan bassoon
Thomas Dunford theorbo
Philippe Grisvard harpsichord/organ
Christine Sticher violone

Formed in Edinburgh in 2011, Ensemble Marsyas is devoted to exploring and championing the virtuoso wind music of the Baroque and Classical eras. Among its members are several of the finest historical instrumentalists working in Europe today. The ensemble derives its name from Marsyas, the satyr of Greek mythology who excels in the playing of reed instruments and audaciously challenges Apollo, the god of music, to a musical contest to be judged by the muses.

The core members of Ensemble Marsyas began their collaboration while studying in Basel and went on to perform with the European Union Baroque Orchestra. In 2007 they entered the famous Brugge International 'Musica Antiqua' Competition, where their performance of the music of Zelenka was awarded both first prize and the coveted audience prize. Since then the members have established themselves at the forefront of the early music scene and individually they have garnered accolades from audiences, critics and the recording industry alike.

Ensemble Marsyas is now much in demand at prestigious festivals across Europe. Future engagements include the Lammermuir Festival (Scotland), l'Auditori (Barcelona, Spain), the Festival di Musica Antica delle Camelie (Ticino, Switzerland) and the East Cork Early Music Festival (Ireland), as well as an on-going collaboration with the Linn Records.