The woodwind quintet Ensemble Astera, was the first prize winner of the Carl Nielsen International Chamber Music Competition of 2023.

Since the founding of the ensemble in 2019, the musicians of the Ensemble Astera have been united by friendship and a common passion for chamber music. They are keen to communicate their shared musical vision, namely the blending of the diverse sounds and timbres of their five wind instruments in search for unity and the broadest artistic dimension.

The ensemble members’ experiences with major international orchestras have enhanced their cohesion, distinctive sound, and musical affinity with the wind quintet. This Franco-Swiss ensemble offers a refreshing perspective on the classical music scene. The musicians are driven by an insatiable enthusiasm, investing their energy towards thoughtful and committed performances, whilst making the most of their ensemble’s many sound possibilities. True to the spirit of openness evoked by its name, Ensemble Astera is always ready to expand its formation by incorporating piano or other instruments, in order to explore the full richness and variety of chamber music with winds.

As evidenced by their award for best performance of the commissioned work at the Nielsen Competition, the ensemble’s artistic dynamism is also characterised by its approach to the contemporary repertoire and its strong desire to bring innovation to concerts halls. Reflecting this commitment, the Ensemble has recorded Fazıl Say’s quintet Alevi dedeler rakı masasında (2011) and will premiere Kevin Juillerat’s new quintet Whirls, written for the Ensemble, in August 2025.

The Ensemble Astera regularly performs at various festivals and music seasons across Europe, including Lavaux Classic, Festival de Pâques d’Aix-en-Provence, Davos Festival, Radio France festival, Les Rencontres Musicales d’Evian and the Murten Classics Festival. The ensemble has also been heard on France Musique, Radio Télévision Suisse, Radio Classique and Danish Radio.

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

Thanks to its collaboration with sound engineer Michael Seberich, and a residency offered by St Columba’s Drimnin Trust in Scotland, Ensemble Astera recorded its debut album featuring works by Debussy, Nielsen, Say & Barber, released in May 2025 on the Swiss label Claves.