European Camerata is one of Europe's most exciting new chamber ensembles. Its members, drawn from ten European countries, are recent graduates from the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO), many of whom have gone on to play with some of the world's finest ensembles, such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields, the Berlin Philharmonic, the English Chamber Orchestra, and chamber groups such as the Leopold Trio, and the Arpegione Quartet. A strong bond of musicianship and friendship developed whilst in E.U.Y.O. Under the initiative of their leader, Laurent Quénelle, these young musicians formed a professional ensemble capable of extending the beliefs and ideals of E.U.Y.O. Camerata aims to create an ensemble of artistic excellence to which musicians can bring the musical experiences and traditions of their respective countries and cultures, and one which can combine enthusiasm with musical dedication. European Camerata performs standing up and without a conductor, which gives the group a unity and homogeneity that is very close to chamber music playing. Exploring both the string orchestra and symphonic repertoire from the Baroque period until the present day, the ensemble also has a strong interest in contemporary music and has a close relationship with composers such as Thierry Escaich and Nicolas Bacri. Having already toured extensively through central Europe, the Camerata's future plans include tours to Scandinavia, the USA and Australasia. Since 1996 they have had a permanent residency in Reims (France) for the summer festival "Les Flâneries Musicales", and made their Wigmore Hall debut in November 1998. Soloists who have worked with them include Steven Lubin, Emile Naoumoff, Francois Leleux, Olivier Charlier, Marc Coppey, Alexandre Lagoya, Eric Ruske, Wendy Warner and Florent Heau. They will be bringing out their first CD, of works by Shostakovich and Honegger, on the Syrius label in early 1999, and will soon record the Mozart Serenades and Divertimentos. The European Camerata's patron is Bernard Haitink KBE. [back]