Press articles
“A selection of works which the five musicians […] perform with remarkable conviction. Right from Debussy’s piece, a warm tone and perfect balance are immediately apparent. In Nielsen’s Quintet, the solo parts are mastered with exemplary virtuosity by each wind player, whilst the cohesion and tonal balance of the tutti passages are captivating. Nothing is overdone; every detail of the composition is fully developed and, where necessary, the performance is expressive.”
Heribert Haase, das Orchester
“The highlight of this album seems to us to be Fazil Say’s ‘Turquerie’, in which the instruments play – or re-enact – a dialogue between five wise men who talk about this and that, perhaps even remaking the world, whilst drinking raki. It is full of ingenious touches and humour, and one cannot help but smile at this rich instrumental dialogue, which is so human and warm-hearted.”
Marc Ossorguine, Clic Musique !
“Finding the right path (or at least the most compelling one) through the vast repertoire (from classical to contemporary) for wind quintet is far from easy, but for this ensemble, no obstacle seems to stand in the way of their exceptional dedication and, moreover, their unrivalled technical mastery. The phenomenal interplay of timbres comes into its own, thanks in no small part to an equally brilliant recording.”
Aart van der Wal, Opus Klassiek
“Remarkable cohesion and rhythmic precision, together with a consistent sound, characterise this selection of essential pieces in this repertoire. The unpretentious playing of the musicians of the Ensemble Astera gives us hope that we may discover further interpretations with the same technical finesse, sense of nuance and infectious enthusiasm.”
Jean-Luc Caron, ResMusica
“In the transcription of Debussy’s Petite Suite, the sound captivates with its homogeneity, its impeccable accuracy, and its finely crafted and well-balanced individual parts. […]. The Astera Ensemble impresses with its rhythmic precision in Barber’s Summer Music, as well as with its articulation and balance.”
Bernard Hainaut, Diapason Magazine
“It is a wonderful piece, and these highly talented players do it full justice. They have obviously worked very hard to achieve a sound world in which all five can play with character and flexibility, and yet no one player dominates the texture. […]. Again, it is brilliantly conveyed by this quite outstanding young ensemble. I love their playing, and cannot wait for their next recording.”
Gwyn Parry-Jones, MusicWeb International
“The young Astera wind quintet thus performed a most polished Poulenc programme: their instrumental mastery, refined style and individual musical imagination, supported by Guillaume Bellom’s richly nuanced piano accompaniment, captured both the roguish spirit and the quiet melancholy […] of the sextet for winds and piano.”
Philippe Venturini, Les Echos
“The Astera Ensemble, with its unassuming yet precise approach, works wonders – not only in what was a discovery of a work that is rarely performed, but throughout a recital that succeeds in bringing together very disparate pieces, forming a cohesive whole and telling a story of emotions in which dialogue reigns supreme.”
Jean-Rémi Barland, La Provence
“It wasn’t just a musical interlude […] but a genuine revelation. Their performance captivated us from the very start, and meeting them backstage only confirmed what was already clear: this opportunity to see them was not to be missed! Beyond their undeniable talent, their likeability and their unique sound, it was their openness to the contemporary repertoire and their sincere commitment that won us over.”
Pétra Wauters, Wukali