Our ongoing search for unique ensembles recently brought us to Weimar, where we heard Ensemble 4.1 in a concert at the German National Theatre. Acclaimed chamber music player and pianist Thomas Hoppe and four solo wind soloists from top-class German symphony orchestras make up this ‘Piano Windtet’. Not only their outstanding musicianship, but the infectious enthusiasm, exceptionally communicative playing and passion for music demonstrated by the ensemble instantly held us enthralled.

Aside from the scant standard repertoire for this combination, Ensemble 4.1 focuses primarily on unknown works (undeservedly so, we might add) from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century, and has also had several arrangements written especially for them. Unique in this respect is Cord Garben’s arrangement of Schubert’s song cycle Die Winterreise, featuring lyrical baritone Roman Trekel.