Ensemble Arabesque

A baroque ensemble on historical instruments (2011)

The Ensemble Arabesque’s concert series began in 2011, on the initiative of the harpsichordist Claire Anne Piguet and the oboist and flautist Vivian Berg, thanks to the opening of the Château du Châtelard. At the root of the approach is a search for timbre: the alternation of traverso, oboe, strings, viola da gamba or harpsichord makes it possible to vary the colour of the sound endlessly, on old instruments chosen for their expressiveness.

All the performers attended Europe’s early-music academies, such as the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the Royal Conservatory of The Hague or the Utrecht School of the Arts. Nourished by the study of period manuscripts and treatises, they practise ornamentation and improvisation, and share with the audience a few words about the works and their composers.

From the castle to the Riviera’s churches

In residence in the 18th-century hall of the Château du Châtelard, Arabesque has broadened its offering to larger-scale concerts at the Château de Chillon, as well as religious vocal works in churches, in particular the church of Sainte-Claire in Vevey. The ensemble also invites other early-music groups and, with “La Musique Ancienne de Demain”, welcomes each year young talents to give a programme prepared with its musicians. After each concert, audience and artists meet over a glass from the castle’s estate.

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