We founded Ensemble Tsurà in 2014 In Basel with the idea to create a new, young chamber orchestra, focusing on the repertoire of the classical and early romantic eras. Our ensemble comprises about 25 musicians from diverse nationalities and with different backgrounds of musical training.

 Our main approach to this beautiful repertoire is to try and combine historical performance practices with the modern-day classical music performance. What’s really important to us is to always strive to a deep understanding of the pieces we play - the form of the piece, the style, the nuance of the language. We experiment with different expressive devices to bring out what is hidden in the score.

 During the rehearsal process we put a great emphasis on understanding the structure of the music and raising our awareness as individual players inside a bigger system. You can compare our work to that of a theatre. We learn about the play, then the actual lines, but then we strive to understand the meaning and emotion behind these lines. The challenge in the music is to do this with an orchestra of 25 individuals, who then have to become one body. 

 The concert experience that we give our audience is special - we try to perform in unusual locations which have unique atmospheres. We only program short concerts  as we believe that this helps each piece to stand on its own. It’s important to us that the audience can really listen to the music, find a connection with each piece. We also always play standing, and we feel that this connects us as an actual ensemble, as one body.

 The name Tsurà comes from the hebrew language. It means “shape” or “form”. This word represents for us our vision for the ensemble- with new, curious eyes, to re-find a shape, a meaning that speaks to us today in the music of the classics.