The Discography and Legacy of Carion: Redefining Chamber Music
Through a series of critically acclaimed album releases, Carion has firmly established itself as one of the most innovative and influential wind ensembles of its generation. From celebrating national heritage in “Nielsen’s Footsteps” and “Northwind” to pushing conceptual boundaries in “Mephisto” and “Schauspiel”, Carion’s discography is a testament to their brilliantly programmed repertoire and artistic vision. Their releases seamlessly bridge the gap between timeless classics and modern masterpieces, often introducing world-premiere recordings that enrich the wind quintet literature.
Carion’s legacy lies in their revolutionary approach to performance—most notably playing entirely from memory without sheet music—which translates into an extraordinary level of communication and vivid storytelling on their recordings. This unique synergy has earned the ensemble widespread international acclaim, including glowing reviews from top music critics and prestigious awards. Praised for their tight precision, rich tonal colors, and theatrical energy, Carion’s recordings have reshaped how audiences and critics alike perceive woodwind chamber music, leaving a lasting impact on the global classical music scene.
ESSENTIAL LISTEN
Carion in C
“Carion in C” is a captivating and brilliantly programmed album by the acclaimed wind quintet Carion. This release showcases the ensemble’s signature approach to classical chamber music, featuring dynamic and fresh interpretations of masterworks. It is an essential listen for chamber music lovers seeking a truly engaging and innovative listening experience.
Works
Terry Riley: In C
Renāte Stivriņa: A Man Without a Country (A Cycle of Miniatures)
Carl August Nielsen: Quintet, Op. 43
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Divertimento No. 1, KV 113
Trad. danish song / Codex Runicus ca. 1300: Drømte mig en Drøm i Nat
Read more about the album on Odradek Records
CD / Released 2023 / Odradek Records
DEEPLY MOVING
Dreams of Freedom
“Dreams of Freedom” is a deeply moving and thought-provoking album by the award-winning Carion Wind Quintet, released on Odradek Records. The release weaves together a rich tapestry of works bound by a powerful common thread: each composer’s personal journey through exile, nostalgia, and the universal longing for liberty. Alongside masterworks by Mozart, Stravinsky, Hindemith, Zemlinsky, and Pärt, the album features the world-premiere recording of Borderless by Kurdish-Syrian composer Moutaz Arian. Brought to life with Carion’s signature precision, vibrant colors, and profound emotional depth, this album is a stunning musical exploration of resilience and the human spirit.
Works
Paul Hindemith: Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24, No. 2
Igor Stravinsky: Suite No. 2
Alexander von Zemlinsky: Humoreske
Arvo Pärt: Quintettino
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Serenade No. 11, KV 375
Arian: Borderless
CD / Released 2018 / Odradek Records
Soulful Heritage
Northwind
“Northwind” is an evocative and beautifully crafted album by the innovative Carion, dedicated to the rich and soulful heritage of Latvian chamber music. Released in celebration of Latvia’s centennial, the album features a curated selection of the very best Baltic woodwind masterworks by prominent composers like Pēteris Vasks, Pēteris Plakidis, and Imants Zemzaris. Drawing deeply on the cultural roots of the ensemble’s Latvian members, this release blends profound melancholy with sweeping northern energy. Brought to life with Carion’s signature precision, vibrant tonal colors, and immense expressive power, “Northwind” is a captivating and unique musical journey into the heart of the Baltics.
Works
Imants Zemzaris: Four Preludes on a Theme by Alfrēds Kalniņš
Imants Zemzaris: Voice (for solo clarinet)
Pēteris Plakidis: Prelude and Pulsation
Pēteris Plakidis: Two Sketches (for solo oboe)
Pēteris Vasks: Music for Fleeting Birds
Pēteris Vasks: In Memory of a Friend
CD / Released 2017 / SKANI
Playful Energy
Mephisto
“Mephisto” is a thrilling and virtuosic album by the innovative Carion, where the ensemble takes listeners on a colorful journey into dark, dramatic, and mysterious musical territory. The release features brilliant and witty new arrangements that expand the horizons of the woodwind quintet, ranging from the dramatic depths of Mozart’s Serenade in C minor to the playful, cinematic energy of Shostakovich’s stage and film music. The album also explores devilish connections through Bartók’s Transylvanian tunes, alongside breathtakingly demanding tributes to legendary virtuosos Liszt and Paganini. Performed with Carion’s signature precision, sarcastic wit, and immense expressive power, “Mephisto” is a captivating and highly entertaining musical dance with the devil.
Works
Franz Liszt: Grandes Études de Paganini No. 6
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Serenade No. 12, KV 388
Dmitri Shostakovich: Suite
(Galop / Romance / Bureaucrat’s Dance / Tahiti Trot / Waltz No. 2)
Béla Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
Franz Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
CD / Released 2016 / Odradek Records
Critically Acclaimed
Nielsen’s Footsteps
“Nielsen’s Footsteps” is a critically acclaimed and award-winning album by the innovative Carion, celebrating the legacy of Denmark’s greatest composer, Carl Nielsen. At the heart of the release is Nielsen’s groundbreaking Wind Quintet, Op. 43, paired with three world-premiere recordings of pieces by composers deeply influenced by his musical language: Kai Senstius, Jens Emborg, and Svend Schultz. Delivered with Carion’s exceptional ensemble precision, brilliant tonal colors, and unmatched expressive energy, this album seamlessly connects tradition with discovery, making it an essential and illuminating journey into the rich heritage of Danish chamber music.
Works
Carl August Nielsen: Kvintet, Op. 43
Kai Helmer Senstius: Kvintet, Op. 16
Jens Laursøn Emborg: Quintetto, Op. 74
Svend Simon Schultz: Une Amourette (Petit serenade)
Read more about the album on Odradek Records
CD+DVD / Released 2015 / Odradek Records
Audio Experience
SchauSpiel
“Schauspiel” is a brilliant and theatrical album by the innovative Carion. The release perfectly captures the ensemble’s core philosophy: making music visible through dramatic interaction and vivid storytelling. Featuring a wonderfully diverse repertoire, the album includes works and arrangements by Beethoven, Ligeti, Ibert, and Rosetti, alongside contemporary gems. Even without seeing the quintet’s famous choreographed stage movements, their exceptional artistry, playful energy, and immense expressive power shine through every track. It is a compelling and highly entertaining audio experience that redefines the traditional boundaries of wind chamber music.
Works
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quintet, Op. 103
Eurico Carrapatoso: Cinco Elegias, Op. 11
György Ligeti: Sechs Bagatellen
Stephen Montague: Thule Ultima
Antonio Rosetti: Quintetto
Jacques François Antoine Ibert: trois pièces brèves
Eduardo di Capua: O sole mio
Super Audio CD / Released 2013 / Ars Produktion
Colorful Exploration
Carion plays Koppel
“Carion plays Koppel” is a vibrant and stylistically diverse album by the innovative Carion Wind Quintet, dedicated entirely to three generations of the famous Danish Koppel musical dynasty. The album brings together three distinct voices from one family: the structured musical cubism of grandfather Herman D. Koppel, the melodic and diverting charm of son Anders Koppel, and the modern fusion of classical, jazz, and salsa by grandson Benjamin Koppel. Performed with Carion’s exceptional artistry, tight precision, and playful energy, this release offers a fascinating and colorful exploration of contemporary Danish chamber music.
Works
Herman D. Koppel: Sonatina, Op. 16 (1932)
Anders Koppel: Sonatina (2002)
Benjamin Koppel: Krazy Kat Music (2000)
Read more about the album on DACAPO Records
CD / Released 2013 / DACAPO
Carion on YouTube: Revolutionizing Chamber Music for a Digital Age
Carion has completely transformed the way classical music is experienced online through their trend-setting and highly popular Carion Productions YouTube Channel. Accumulating nearly 4 million views, their videos have brought woodwind chamber music to a vast global audience. Viral performances—such as their rendition of Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2 with over 2.5 million views alone—demonstrate the ensemble’s unique power to cross over and captivate listeners worldwide.
What truly sets Carion’s digital presence apart is their groundbreaking cinematic style, which elevates classical performance into a striking visual art form. Rather than standard archival concert footage, the ensemble treats YouTube as a canvas for high-concept, atmospheric music videos. A prime example is their haunting and visually stunning performance of Pēteris Vasks’ “Music for the Fleeting Birds”, where the stark lighting, dramatic camera angles, and raw natural backdrop perfectly mirror the piece’s sweeping, melancholic northern energy. They demonstrate an equally masterful, high-octane theatricality in their rendition of Franz Liszt’s “Grandes Études de Paganini”, utilizing dynamic editing, intense close-ups, and a moody aesthetic to capture the devilish virtuosity and breathless pace of the music, turning it into a gripping visual narrative.
Beyond mere entertainment, Carion’s videos have had a profound impact on chamber music performance and education. By performing entirely from memory and utilizing subtle, musically grounded choreography instead of music stands and chairs, they visualize the inner architecture of a piece. This innovative visual storytelling has led to their videos, most notably their landmark performance of György Ligeti’s Six Bagatelles, being widely used as essential teaching examples and reference recordings for music students and young ensembles across the globe. Through YouTube, Carion does not just share music; they provide a masterclass in modern, accessible, and deeply engaging artistic communication.