ensemble oktopus

In the winter semester of 2002/03, the composer and conductor Konstantia Gourzi founded the ensemble oktopus at the University of Music and Theatre Munich with a clear vision: the ensemble is to move in the genre of contemporary music with naturalness and ease. This opens up access to contemporary music for young musicians.

In addition to the ensemble’s own concert series, which has become an integral part of the contemporary music scene in Munich, numerous concerts also take place outside the university every year.

The ensemble oktopus has developed collaborations with the Pinakothek der Moderne, with galleries, with the Theaterakademie August Everding, with the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung (Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation), with the Münchner Biennale, with the Bayerischen Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting), with the Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera), with Biennale Musica in Venice and with the Paul Sacher Stiftung (Paul Sacher Foundation).

Collaboration with living composers is of great importance to Konstantia Gourzi: composition commissions are regularly awarded and composers from all over the world are invited to rehearsal periods and concerts every year. In this way, contemporary works and numerous world premieres are developed in direct dialogue.