Carion

In 2002, mutual visions of five young virtuose windplayers concerning chambermusic as of the present and the future were aligned, and the woodwind quintet Carion was created.

The dream of perfecting and developing the performance of wind-chambermusic is the very force that binds the musicians together. Throughout the years from the birth of the ensemble, the members of Carion have sought a way to convert the traditions of conventional chambermusic into an up-to-date and appealing experience of high cultural value. In this search Carion has developed a unique style where all concerts are performed from memory. The absence of music-stands and notes gives the five musicians an unprecedented freedom to communicate both with themselves and with the audience. As a crucial part of this, Carion gives a visual interpretation of the inner architecture of the pieces through a musically based choreography. This adds extra dimensions to the concert experience and makes even the avantgarde part of the repertoire easily understandable.

Carion is an elite-ensemble with an outstanding integrety that combines progressive performance of the fine arts of the classical masterpieces with an easy accessible approach which communicates with all audiences from young to old.

In a relatively short period of time Carion has worked themselves up to a very high level and is today considered one of the foremost ensembles in Denmark. In february 2004 Carion achieved great acknowledgement by receiving two prizes at the biggest chambermusic competition in Denmark, the DR Chambermusic Competition. Following this competition Carion was contracted for a series of recordings for the Danish Radio.

Carion has an on-going collaboration with the electronica guru Bjørn Svin. This collaboration has gained great acclaim through appearances at the Roskilde Festival, SPOT festival, Wundergrund Festival and danish television.

Carion has won prizes at several chambermusic competitions. Among them the Danish Radio Chambermusic Competition in 2004 and a 1st prize at the Marco Fiorindo International Chambermusic Competition in Turin, Italy in december 2006.

Carion presents a varied and interesting repertoire. The ensemble is wellfounded in the established wind quintet works, but has received most favourable critique for their interpretation of Carl Nielsen, french composers like Jean Françaix and especially the Sechs Bagatellen by György Ligeti. Carion has worked with several composers, most notably with Morten Skovgård Danielsen, and can also present a unique range of arrangements by their own hornplayer, David M.A.P. Palmquist. Special collaborations with ensembles like Leipziger Streichquartette and artists like the soulsinger Andy Roda and the electronica guru Bjørn Svin, has created fantastic new and unexpected repertoire for Carion.