2022 marks the first time that the ULYSSES Ensemble is an ensemble entirely dedicated to percussion. The sextet travels from June to October from the ManiFeste Academy in Paris to the Time of Music Festival in Viitasaari, to the Gaudeamus Festival Utrecht ending with the Warsaw Autumn Festival.

The ULYSSES Percussion Ensemble is made up of 5 percussionists, accompanied by a percussionist from the Percussions de Strasbourg who leads and guides the young performers throughout their journey.

The young percussionists rehearse together with the different pieces for their tour. They work closely with young composers Mioko Yokoyama and James Alexandropoulos-McEwan, who have written two pieces especially for them, co-commissioned by three members of the ULYSSES Network: Time of Music, Gaudeamus and Warsaw Autumn.

Mioko Yokoyama: new work for 6 percussionists (2022), 15 min, co-commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus, Warsaw Autumn
Photo © Manca Dornik

James Alexandropoulos-McEwan: new work for 6 percussionists and electronics (2022), 10 min, co-commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus, Warsaw Autumn
Photo © Roelof Rump