Formed in 2017 for their debut concert at the Orgelpark in Amsterdam, featuring the work of composer and artistic director Kate Moore, Herz Ensemble is an eclectic collective of outstanding musicians who share a common aesthetic and ravenous appetite for the raw energy, creativity and vitality of new music. Having worked together on numerous projects spanning more than a decade in a variety of ensembles and orchestras, this collective of musicians was brought together by Moore to perform and record her major works and curate that of the works of her contemporaries. Officially coming together as a recognised group after the performance and release of Moore’s Herz Cycle upon which the name of the ensemble is derived, they shared her Zielsverwanten artist residency for the concert season 2018-19 at The Muziekgebouw aan ‘t Ij, performing two critically acclaimed concert programs entitled Night of the Tarantula and xgenx. Alongside Capella Pratensis, Wishful Singing and Temko, Herz Ensemble premiered Moore’s 2018 Bosch Requiem Lux Aeterna | VIVID for the opening concert of November Music in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Since then Herz has performed regularly in festivals including Wonderfeel and Muze van Zuid and established venues including Muziekgebouw aan ‘t Ij, The Korzo Theater, Hertz Zaal Tivoli Vredenburg, and on Radio 4.
Mission of Herz Ensemble
Above all Herz Ensemble strives for the highest artistic quality, working with musicians of the highest standard who have achieved excellence in their field as performers and already have a notable career as soloists and performing with internationally highly regarded ensembles and orchestras. This, coupled with Innovation and exploration of the potential of their instruments and compositions emphasises the objective of Herz Ensemble to embrace the unknown, and to fearlessly forge their own unique path, individual character and be trailblazers for new possibilities and directions, open to forming and establishing connections with a wide audience and being at home in a variety of scenarios, broadening networks and contacts not only in the music scene but extending to the broader cultural landscape, art and literature, heritage and the environment which are of particular interest.
Herz Ensemble is devoted to encouraging diversity in its approach to the music scene, seeking wide audiences from all backgrounds and age groups with no prejudice and openness to conversations from people from every walk of life with no judgement or hierarchy. There is no hierarchy within the ensemble itself and all the players are equal partakers in the process of bringing a concert performance to the stage, encouraging an environment of respect, kindness and camaraderie.
Herz Ensemble seeks to create a Safe Space for audience and performers alike, to be themselves without fear, prejudice, discrimination or predetermined critique based on trends such as style and fashion. The ensemble and artistic director firmly believe that innovation is not possible until the ground is set where practitioners can explore their ideas and art form to the highest level without fear, borders and barriers. It is a space where the players, composer and audience are already fully accepted and given the encouragement to achieve their highest potential both as individuals and together as a group in communion with each other.
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