Accents Ensemble K & Simone Menezes

• Alexander Borodin (1833 - 1887):
• 1 Polovtsian Dances 12:37
• Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918):
• 2 Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune, L. 86 09:53
• Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990):
• 3 Appalachian Spring 25:46
• Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887 - 1959):
• 4 Chôros No. 5, W207 04:48
• Sophie Lacaze (b. 1963):
• 5 Histoire sans paroles 08:35
• Total Runtime 01:01:39

Info for Accents

K, a multicultural orchestra under the direction of the Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes, is bringing out its first album. Born out of the awareness that classical music was exported throughout the world and took on multiple influences in the last century, K’s project seeks to find the original accents of the works it performs. Their goal: to tell each story in its original language.

Ensemble K
Simone Menezes, conductor

Ensemble K
consists of a core group of 14 soloists who share a cosmopolitan and curious vision of music, performing classical, 20th-century, and contemporary repertoire. For the ensemble, a concert is not merely an intellectual experience but an encounter between intellect, emotions, and spirit.

Founded in 2019 by Italian-Brazilian conductor Simone Menezes, Ensemble K describes itself as Klassic, Kosmopolitan, Kréatif, Konnected, and Le Monde praised the group’s unique vision, stating, “And it's true!” Since her debut it has been performed in major concert halls worldwide in Milan, Rome, Paris, Viena, Berlin, among others.

The ensemble’s first album, Accents, reflects this ethos by highlighting extra-European influences in Western classical music. Their 2021 release, Metanoia, features works by Puccini, Bach, Villa-Lobos, and Pärt. This project, which explores music and art as vehicles of transcendence and beauty in dialogue with other artistic forms, was awarded the 2023 International Classical Music Award for Best Documentary/Performance in Classical Music.

In 2022, Ensemble K presented Beauty Will Save the World, which included music by Tchaikovsky, Debussy, and Brahms.

This project marked the closing of the Women’s Pavilion at the Universal Exposition in Dubai, culminating in a live recording concert at Dubai Opera. That same year, the ensemble revisited Holst’s The Planets in collaboration with artist Mathias Duhamel, who performed live painting during the concert.

Their latest project, Scheherazade, A Tale, released as a double CD under Alpha Classics, premiered at the Pierre Boulez Saal. This ambitious work integrates Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade with a narrative component, creating a rich and immersive experience. The project was acclaimed by the international press and also made available as a streaming concert.

Beyond performances, Ensemble K is deeply engaged in social and educational initiatives in Northern France, working closely with schools and women in challenging situations. Through music and partnerships with other arts, the ensemble fosters expression and supports the rebuilding of individual identity.

Simone Menezes
is celebrated for her artistic excellence, musical and intellectual depth, acclaimed recordings, and leadership.

Her engagements include collaborations with some of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Scottish Symphony, Philharmonia Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Santa Cecilia Orchestra, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra. She has also partnered with distinguished soloists and composers, including Fazıl Say, Gautier Capuçon, Thomas Adès, Kaija Saariaho, and Philippe Hersant. Throughout her career, Simone has led over 20 world premieres, excelling in both traditional and contemporary repertoires.

Simone is highly praised for leading both traditional orchestral performances and complex multidisciplinary projects. Her recordings have garnered critical acclaim, including a project to record the complete works of Maurice Ravel. The first release in this series, featuring pianist François-Xavier Poizat and the London Philharmonia Orchestra, was selected as Editor’s Choice by Gramophone magazine.

Among her innovative projects is the award-winning documentary Metanoia—featuring music by Puccini, Pärt, and Bach—which won the "Best Video in Performance & Documentaries" award at the 2023 International Classical Music Awards. Other major project is the Amazonia concert, a partnership with renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado. Combining the music of Philip Glass and Heitor Villa-Lobos with Salgado’s photography, this project was recorded with the Zurich Philharmonia and released as a highly praised CD. Performed in major concert halls worldwide for over five years. Recently in 2024, Simone premiered a celebrated interpretation of “Scheherazade, a tale” at the Boulez Saal in Berlin. Developed during an artistic residency, the project included a double CD recording released by Alpha Classics, featuring a collaboration with actress Golshifteh Farahani. In 2025, she will present Four Elements with the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra at the Universal Exhibition in Osaka, featuring the world premiere of Fazıl Say's Piano Concerto, commissioned for the occasion.

An Italo-Brazilian artist, Simone studied in São Paulo, Paris, and London, and was mentored by Paavo Järvi. She had a large career in Brazil either as principal and guest conductor, then since 2017 she’s based in Europe. Simone currently resides in France, where she was honored as one of the "100 Femmes de Culture" for her contributions to Francophone cultural life. She also leads her Ensemble K, a France-based group acclaimed for its innovation, charisma, and integrity. Founded in 2019, the ensemble explores a rich repertoire blending classical traditions with bold, forward-looking projects.

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