Rei is an ancient Greek word from a quote of an ancient Greek scientist, Heracleitus. He was the first one who realized that in the core of all things, the material is not vast but flowing. His quote is one of the most famous of all times: “Ta panta rei”. Which means: Everything flows.
Nowadays, we live in a world that enhances this fact more than ever before. Everything changes constantly and rapidly. Our ensemble has the ambition to resemble our society and way of life in the modern era: we play in flexible combinations of chamber music formations with a core of string instruments, from duo to large ensemble and from Baroque to Rock!
Another important element of Ensemble Rei is to combine as many different nationalities as possible. Our idea is that music unites people as an universal language. It stands above borders and boundaries of countries, regions, languages and cultures and builds bridges between the intellect and the emotions of all human beings. In a time of strong polarization on all fronts, we find that music and the arts should form an example of how all of us, so extremely diverse, can start celebrating what we have in common rather than challenge our differences.
There is always a beautiful story that goes with a great piece of music. One of the musicians narrates it before a piece is performed. It might have to do with the composer or the particular piece, or a legendary performance, or it could be an experience of one of the musicians that relates to the music. We also love to experiment with interdisciplinary shows, where music combines with other forms of art (performing or visual), thus contributing to a completely different experience.
Through the intimate atmosphere and setting we try to diminish the distance between the musicians and the public, so the concert is a uniquely shared experience for all present individuals.