The Brussels chamber music ensemble CAROUSEL gathers twelve outstanding young musicians around the award-winning Belgian clarinettist Annelien Van Wauwe. The musicians come from six European countries and are all sought-after chamber musicians and soloists. The 12 members of CAROUSEL have won prizes at renowned competitions such as the ARD International Music Competition in Munich, the Borletti Buitoni Trust Award, the International Tchaikovsky Competition, the USA International Harp Competition, the Opus Klassik Award, the Aeolous Competition Düsseldorf, the Bottessini Competition and the German Music Competition.
CAROUSEL Chamber Music Ensemble was founded in 2019 by Annelien Van Wauwe. The ensemble played its debut concert at Klara in the 'Singel' in Antwerp in 2020. Since then CAROUSEL is regularly invited to perform in halls such as the Concertgebouw Bruges, Lunalia Mechelen, Festival 20/21 Leuven, Festival of Flanders Ghent, de Bijloke Ghent, de Singel Antwerp, Summerwinds and Bagno Konzertgalerie Steinfurt. The ensemble will make its debut at the Wigmore Hall in London during the 2022-23 season.
The ensemble is regularly involved in charity work, organising concerts and masterclasses in aid of organisations such as "Kom op Tegen Kanker" (Belgian Cancer Foundation).
During the Covid 19 pandemic, CAROUSEL organised a successful ‘corona-proof’ concert series in Leuven.
Supporting young talented musician is important to CAROUSEL. Every summer, the ensemble organises the international CAROUSEL Masterclasses in Kortrijk, Belgium with individual masterclasses, chamber music and workshops on yoga and meditation.
The ensemble's approach is modern and creative, offering both traditional and contemporary repertoire. CAROUSEL works closely with contemporary composers and has had the privilege of premiering new music. The ensemble has commissioned compositions and arrangements and performed works by Wim Henderickx, Jelle Tassyns and Jeroen D'hoe, among others.
In the 2020-21 season, works by female composers Annelies Van Parys, (Belgium), Aftab Darvishi (Iran) and Calliope Tsoupaki (Greece), entitled 'They have waited long enough', were premiered.
CAROUSEL's programmes are flexible, varying from trio to octet and offering a broad repertoire.
The ensemble aims to bring its core philosophy of togetherness closer to its audience and to breaks down cultural barriers through the use of a universal language: that of music.
CAROUSEL strives to create a close bond between its members and its audience and therefor organises 'Very Important Passenger' events.
CAROUSEL takes you on a lively, joyful, passionate and enthusiastic musical ride!