chamber music ensemble for classical & contemporary classical music

Founded in 2009 by (former) students of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, Odysseia Ensemble - unexpectedly classic - is one of the most versatile chamber music ensembles in Belgium.

5 string players, 5 brass players, a pianist and a singer offer not only freedom but the strength to play just about any chamber music in just about any line-up. Flexibility is key to Odysseia's thoughtful, idiosyncratic programs. Excursions along the lesser beaten tracks of classical and contemporary classical music; offering pieces from known and lesser-known composers, musical dialogues between classical masterpieces and (unknown) contemporary compositions, between masters and their students, between Romantic and new music as a deliberate search for recognition and surprise, appealing to both the connoisseur and the newcomer.

Unique to the ensemble are the Made in Belgium-performances; with pieces, composed especially for Odysseia Ensemble, by (home) composer Frederick Neyrinck in addition to regular performances of other Belgian composers such as Luc Brewaeys, Annelies Van Parys and Daan Janssens.

For Odysseia Ensemble 'unexpected' and 'classical' go hand-in-hand; with a biennial Odysseia Festival, biannual promenades under the name District Walks (districtwalks.com) - mini-concerts at unique locations in Brussels' districts where music converses with the city, its nature and architecture - and finally with the challenging Call for Scores, which  - after the first call – has already generated a long-lasting collaboration with laureate Henrik Denerin from Sweden.

Odysseia Ensemble are Katrien Gaelens (Artistic & Business Director, flute), Thomas Moore (Business & Artistic Director), Emilie De Voght (soprano), Dymphna Vandenabeele (oboe), Dries Tack (clarinet), Wannes Cuvelier (bassoon), Anthony Devriendt (horn), Veerle Houbraken (violin), Katrien Foubert (violin), Katelijne Onsia (viola), Harmen Goossens (cello), Jens Similox-Tohon (double bass) and Ludovic Van Hellemont (piano)