Ensemble Sonore was established in 2006 as a joint initiative of two musicians, Georgy Levinov and Dmitry Berlizov, with the idea to unite dedicated young performers, both graduates and current students of the Moscow State Music Conservatory. The group seeks the state of ‘sonority’ through joining sounds of different character and colour into a single unified whole. Its aim is to perform repertoire largely unknown to general audiences, created by composers of different styles and eras, thereby rescuing it from oblivion.
The basic configuration of the ensemble is the piano quartet consisting of Georgy Levinov (violin), Dmitry Berlizov (viola), Mikhail Shumov (cello) and Artem Selivanov (piano). The ensemble also performs in subgroups and in collaboration with other musicians. The ensemble is frequently heard in various halls around Moscow, and tours around Europe (Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, France and Italy).
In July 2007, the group participated in the Italian festival ‘Opera Ischia’. In November of the same year they co-organized a two-day festival ‘Klassika, Bravo’ in Saransk, Russia in collaboration with Spanish conductor Israel Rodriguez and the State Chamber Orchestra of Mordovia. In December, Sonore led a festival-masterclass in Valencia, Spain. In addition to these international engagements, the group performed a season of concerts in Moscow, including events at the International Roerich Museum, Pokrovskie Vorota Cultural Centre and Shalov Gallery.
In June 2008, Sonore received third prize at the international competition ‘Concorso Internazionale dei Duchi d’Acquaviva’ and won first place in the chamber music category at the ‘Premio Citta di Podova’ international competition, both in Italy.
In 2009, Sonore collaborated with the theatre director Roman Viktyuk in his production of Mozart’s Zaide at the Sheremet’yevskiye Sezony Opera Theatre. In January 2010, the ensemble was invited to participate in the International Buhov Festival ‘From Christmas to Christmas.” In June of the same year they took part in the Banff International Summer Arts Festival, in Banff, Canada. As part of the festival, the groups engaged in performances and received coaching from Dennis Brott, Henk Guittart, Gilbert Kalish, Barry Shiffman, Mark Steinberg, Alasdair Tait, Don Weilerstein and Vivien Hornik Weilerstein.