Ensemble Oktopus

In February 2003, composer and conductor Konstantia Gourzi founded the Ensemble Oktopus at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich (Hochschule für Musik und Theater München), driven by a clear vision: to create an ensemble that navigates the genre of contemporary music with ease and confidence, providing young musicians with access to this vibrant musical field.

The ensemble has established itself as a vital part of Munich’s contemporary music scene, with its own concert series as a central feature. Additionally, it performs numerous concerts outside the university each year.

The ensemble has cultivated collaborations with prestigious institutions, including the Pinakothek der Moderne, galleries, the Theaterakademie August Everding, the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, the Munich Biennale, Bavarian Radio, the Bavarian State Opera, the Venice Biennale for Music, and the Paul Sacher Foundation.

A key focus for Konstantia Gourzi is working with living composers. The ensemble regularly commissions new works, and each year invites composers from around the world to participate in rehearsal phases and performances. This direct dialogue fosters the development and premieres of contemporary works.

Another cornerstone of the ensemble’s mission is supporting emerging composers and conductors. Gourzi works closely with students from composition and conducting classes, as well as with the Jazz Institute of the HMTM and numerous university professors, who frequently appear as soloists.

The ensemble’s 20 years of success are documented in numerous CD productions, radio broadcasts, and video recordings, reflecting its dynamic and prolific concert activity.

About the Name:

“The idea for the ensemble’s name came from the image of an octopus. When you see an octopus in the water, it seems very small. If it feels fear, it pulls inward. But when given space, it can expand, grow large, and reveal its full beauty. That is my wish for contemporary music in Munich: that it becomes natural, more frequently performed, and its beauty discovered.”
– Prof. Konstantia Gourzi

Source: Ensemble Oktopus