Quatuor Flexible

The ensemble

The Ensemble “Quatuor flexible” is a unique clarinet quartet founded by four European members from four different countries. Ashley Marques, an emotional Portuguese, astonishes the audience with her virtuosity and strong expressions. The sensible German, Julia Guhl, touches the audience with her warm sound and beautiful phrasing. A French womanizer, Leolun Planchon (the only male in the group!), conquers the hearts of the women with his seductive playing. And last but not least there is Ida Kateraas, a cute Norwegian, who gives the group an irresistible groove with her full and dark bass clarinet sound. Despite having diverse backgrounds and musical educations, they are four individuals melting together in a warm quartet sound, performing music of all ages and styles to capture the attention and hearts of their audiences.

Having studied in the best Universities and Conservatories in Europe, all four members came to Brussels to study in the "Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles" in 2014. After the founding of the quartet, they started to perfect their playing with well-known Professors such as Ronald Van Spaendonck, Pascal Moragues, Jean-Marc Fessard and Alain De Rijckere. Soon the ensemble got the opportunity to participate in several Festivals in Brussels, such as "Au Gre des Pages" and "Courants d'Air".

In 2015 and 2016 they were invited to perform in several concert series and festivals in Southern Germany and North France with great success: the “Festival de Clarinette de Somain" and the “Jazzfest Rottweil“, among others.

The name „Quatuor flexible“ is not only a name, but depicts the goal of the ensemble: to be flexible in both instrumentation and style of music, giving a unique variety to their performances. All four members are able to play on the different members of the clarinet family, no matter if e- flat clarinet, Alto clarinet, Bassttehorn or Bass clarinet.

In addition, the quartet masters different styles with ease: modern music repertoire (Curtis, Ghidoni, Horovitz, Hersant), classical repertoire (Mozart, Purcell, Grieg) and traditional folk music/popular repertoire (Piazzolla, Gershwin, Klezmer). The ensemble is proud that they can offer traditional classical programs with original compositions, as well as lighter programs with music from all over the world.

The “Quatuor flexible“ is dedicated to an extremely important aspect of being a musician: engaging the next generation in rich musical experiences. As a result, the quartet offers unique and entertaining programs to younger audiences, which they have developed over time and with great excitement.

The ensemble’s goal is to create unforgettable musical moments for their audience members with their astonishing virtuosity, expressive interpretations and energetic performances.

The musicians

Ashley Marques

Ashley Marques

Clarinet

Ashley started her higher education at the ESMAE (“Escola Superior de Musica e Artes do Espectaculo do Porto“) in Portugal with professor Nuno Pinto and continued with her Masters Degree at the CRB (“Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles“) with Ronald van Spaendonck, Jean- Marc Fessard and Nathalie Lefevre. Based in Brussels, she is currently doing her Didactic Masters Degree at the CRB. In conjunction with her formal education, Ashley has participated in masterclasses with clarinetists such as Calogero Palermo, Anto nio Saiote, Michel Arrignon, Pascal Moragues and others. In 2007, Ashley performed in the “Concurso Terras de La-Salette” in Portugal, where she was awarded 3rd Price. In 2012, she won 3rd Prize in the Chamber Music Competition “ConCursos’ in Portugal’, playing with the Trio Animato. While having played in different Youth Orchestras, Ashley is fueled by her passion for chamber music. Performing in the clarinet quartet “Quatuor flexible“ has awarded Ashley the opportunity to perform music in a multitude of different groups and styles. In addition, Ashley has produced several musical projects for children.

Leolun Planchon

Clarinet

In 2014 Leolun entered the “Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles“ to study with Ronald Van Spaendonck, Jean Marc Fessard and Nathalie Lefevre. Currently living in Brussels, he has perfected his playing with great teachers, such as the celebrated French clarinetist Pascal Moragues. Leo has participated in several masterclasses with famous professors such as Julien Herve, Calogero Palermo or John Kruse. During his first year at the CRB he founded, along with other students, the “Quintet EtCaetera“. As a member of the “Quintet EtCaetera“, the “Quatuor flexible“ and several other chamber music groups, Leo is performing regularly in chamber music concerts. Feeling comfortable on all clarinet instruments (in the “Quartuor flexible“ he plays the Alto clarinet if needed), he also performs with different orchestras such as the “Orchestre Voltige" and the “Nationaal Jeugd Orkest.” The latter will be performing on a Summer Tour in Romania and Holland in Summer 2017. To get more informations about his musical activities, you may visit the following website: www.etcaeteraquintette.com

Ida Kateraas

Ida Kateraas

Bass clarinet

Born and based in Oslo, Ida Kateraas is a young Norwegian clarinet and bass clarinet player. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Clarinet Performance from the “Norwegian Academy of Music“ and from the “Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles“. Currently, Ida is doing a Masters Degree in Music Performance in Oslo, as well as working in the “Norwegian Air Force Band“ in Trondheim. Ida is passionate about chamber music, actively performing with many different chamber music groups, such as the wind quintet "Woods of Norway”, “Quatuor flexible” and in a trio with piano and cello. Ida has studied with many well known professors such as Fredrik Fors, Bjorn Nyman, Ronald van Spaendonck, Nathalie Lefevre and Jean-Marc Fessard. She has also participated in master classes with world-renowned clarinetists Yehuda Gilad, Charles Neidich and Andreas Sunden, among others. Ida has performed in many different Festivals in Europe, and was a member of the National Norwegian Youth Orchestra.

Julia Guhl

Clarinet

A charismatic performer and teacher, clarinetist Julia Guhl has established herself as a sought after performer and teacher of music. She has won many different prizes, scholarships and competitions; most recently, Julia won 1st Prize and the "Grand Prix" in the International Music Competition “Heirs of Orpheus' “ in Bulgaria. Based in Southern Germany, Julia is an active freelance chamber musician who feels comfortable on all clarinet instruments. Being a member in fixed groups like the “Trio canto di legno“, the “Woodstring Quintett“, or the “Quatuor flexible“ she is regularly performing with different ensembles and orchestras in well known concert halls and festivals. Julia holds a Bachelors Degree in Clarinet Performance/Teaching as well as a Masters Degree in Clarinet Performance/Chamber Music from the “Hochschule fur Musik Trossingen“ (Germany) and from the “Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles“. Her professors include Chen Halevi, Zoltan Kovacs, Ronald van Spaendonck, Nathalie Lefevre and Jean-Marc Fessard. In addition to her studies, Julia has toured with various Youth Orchestras in Europe and Asia, and has attended in Master classes with world-renowned professors such as Bjorn Nyman, Andreas Sunden, Charles Neidich, Anthony Pay and others. Since 2012, Julia has held a position as a clarinet and chamber music teacher in the music school in Blumberg, Germany. You can find out more information about Julia here: www.juliaguhl.de

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