The Changing Cairn Collective

An truly modern ensemble

The Ensemble Cairn can easily be called one of the most modern groups around. Instead of relying on the usual ensemble-structure, which alocates a specific task to each member (a violin player will merely play the violin, their manager will never touch an instrument), these French musicians have given everyone in their ranks the chance and task to do just about anything. Founded by Jerome Combier in 1997, this has meant that members have played, composed and organised concerts and that constellations are constantly changing. Also, it has always been an imperative to play anything, as long as it meets collective quality standards - whoever wanted their program nicely cut up along stylistic or historic lines is clearly out of place here. Instead, the ensemble likes to take listeners on a journey down a winding road, which might allow one for a glimpse around the next corner, but never reveals its deepest secrets by itself.

Their career has already been full of highlights, but be sure that those concerts on September 29th and 30th as well as on October 1st at the Atelier du Plateau in paris will mark a peak. Combier has arranged a piece by Györgi Ligeti and there will be a rendition of a Thierry Blondeau composition. However, the night's real purpose is to present a co-operation with famous French composer Philippe Leroux (see picture), combining images with music. Cyrille Brissot has joined the Ensemble Cairn for this project, trying to find an adequate world of visual expression, a rhythm for showing these images as well as establishing a dialogue between these two factors and the players. Leroux will actually be present during the concert, which should add some additional excitment to the evening. For prices ranging between 8 and 12 Euros, really, there's no excuse not to be present if you can.

Homepage: Ensemble Cairn