The Empyrean Orchestra was founded in Zurich in early 2025 by Swiss conductor Kevin Griffiths and brings together some of Switzerland’s most outstanding freelance musicians. From its inception, the ensemble has combined artistic excellence with a commitment to developing new ways of performing, communicating and experiencing classical music.

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The Empyrean Orchestra views tradition not as the opposite of innovation, but as its point of departure. Alongside the cultivation of the classical repertoire on leading concert stages in Switzerland and abroad, the orchestra develops new concert and educational formats at the intersection of music, science and technology. Through the use of digital technologies, participatory elements and innovative presentation formats, it creates concert experiences that offer fresh perspectives and inspire new generations of listeners.

 

Despite its recent founding, the orchestra has established itself rapidly on prominent stages. The ensemble appeared at Zurich’s Tonhalle with the concert project «Mephisto im Spiegel der Töne» and has since returned for further performances, including appearances as part of Klassifest. Concerts at Stadtcasino Basel, as well as invitations to the Lenzburgiade and Klosters Music Festival, further reflect the ensemble’s swift artistic development. Additional international engagements are currently in preparation. The Empyrean Orchestra has already collaborated with distinguished artists including Kian Soltani, Maurice Steger, Alexandre Dubach, Svetlin Roussev and Äneas Humm, with further collaborations, including a project with the Zurich Boys’ Choir, forthcoming.

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The encouragement of young talent is a central pillar of the orchestra’s work. Emerging soloists are given opportunities to gain valuable stage experience and further develop their artistic voice. The young violinist Ilva Eigus has already appeared as a soloist with the orchestra, while fourteen-year-old violinist Edna Unseld captivated audiences at the AMG Concerts in Basel. The Empyrean Orchestra sees itself as a platform for the next generation of exceptional musical talent, creating opportunities in which young artists can grow and realise their full potential.

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This commitment continues through the Empyrean Academy, the orchestra’s educational initiative for children and young people. Under the guidance of Kevin Griffiths and members of the Empyrean Orchestra, children of all ages are given the opportunity—regardless of prior musical experience—to engage actively with music, perform in ensembles and gain their first experiences in conducting. Alongside musical development, the Academy places particular emphasis on personal growth, creative thinking, teamwork and leadership. A highlight of the programme is a side-by-side project in which participants perform alongside members of the Empyrean Orchestra at Zurich’s Tonhalle. The first project took place in March 2026, with a continuation already planned for the coming season.

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Beyond its artistic activities, the Empyrean Orchestra is committed to social and cultural engagement. The ensemble regularly participates in charitable initiatives, including the annual Artists For A Better Planet benefit concerts at Zurich’s Grossmünster and Fraumünster churches in support of disadvantaged children living in areas affected by poverty and conflict. The orchestra has also appeared at distinguished private and institutional events, including performances at the Zunft zur Meisen and at Schiffbau Zurich for the Helsana Group, attended by a member of the Swiss Federal Council. At the same time, the orchestra actively promotes contemporary music through performances of works by composers such as Ruth Dürrenmatt, daughter of the celebrated Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt, and the young Swiss composer Joel Henrik Helle.

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Looking ahead, the Empyrean Orchestra seeks to deepen the dialogue between music, science and technology through new artistic projects and partnerships. In doing so, it draws upon a centuries-old tradition in which artistic and scientific curiosity are understood as expressions of the same search for knowledge and understanding. Planned collaborations with researchers at MIT and ETH Zurich, new concert formats for younger audiences and initiatives for deaf children exemplify this vision. In the long term, the Empyrean Orchestra aims to establish itself as a cultural institution with international reach—rooted in artistic excellence while remaining open to new ways of performing, learning and experiencing music.