The Ensemble Astera is a woodwind quintet, winner of the 1st prize and the special prize for the best interpretation of the commissioned work at the Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition in Copenhagen in April 2023. The Ensemble was founded in 2019 by five young musicians, all graduates of the Haute Ecole de Musique de Lausanne.

Since the end of their studies, united by friendship and motivated by their common passion for chamber music, these five musicians take every opportunity to come together from far flung corners of Europe. Forming a cosmopolitan ensemble, they combine four European nationalities. Their different experiences within wind sections of major international orchestras have enriched their cohesion, enabled their particular sound and informed their musical affinity to the wind quintet. They are eager to share their ideal as chamber musicians: the blending of the diverse sounds and timbres of their five wind instruments in search of unity and the broadest artistic dimension.

The Ensemble Astera plays a rich and varied repertoire encompassing works originally written for wind quintet as well as numerous entertaining arrangements. You will hear masterpieces by great composers as well as gems by lesser-known ones. In showcasing all the sound possibilities of the woodwind quintet, the musicans will encourage you to discover and rediscover pieces from all genres through a moving and unforgettable concert experience.

The Ensemble Astera has performed at various festivals and concert seasons across Europe, as well as on France Musique, Radio Télévision Suisse and Danish Radio. As orchestral musicians, its members are part of, or have performed with, orchestras such as the Orchestre National de Lille, the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, the Tonhalle Orchester Zurich, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

Since 2023, the Ensemble Astera is Artist in residence at the Fondation Singer-Polignac in Paris.