A beam of sunshine in the austere landscape of French musical creation. Again, the complicity of the Variances musicians does wonders.
Ensemble Variances was founded in 2010 by French composer and pianist Thierry Pécou with the vision of linking the music of our time, with contemporary humanitarian and environmental issues.
Our call to social activism through the power of music has opened new audiences to contemporary music and has led to engagements at Wigmore Hall London (Great Britain), Festival Présences de Radio France (Paris, France), the Auditorium de Lyon (France), Musikfestspiele Potsdam (Germany), Gaudeamus muziekweek Utrecht (Netherlands), the Lux Aeterna Festival of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg (Germany), Music on Main Vancouver (Canada), the Detroit Institute of Arts (United States of America) and the Phillips Collection (United States of America).
The philosophy of the ensemble is inspired by the reflections of Martinique-born French philosopher and poet, Édouard Glissant calling for cultural diversity. Through theatrical and musical narratives Ensemble Variances’ collaborations are inspired by Amerindian, Afro-American and Indian cultures.
Ensemble Variances is based in Rouen in the heart of Normandy.