The Agon Ensemble is a group of talented young musicians from different European countries collaborating toward a common project.
In addition to performing in prestigious concert halls, this group strives to bring music to places and people that, due to their circumstances, are not
predisposed listeners of classical music.
As a team of ambitious young artists from all over Europe, the group is a form of celebration of the European Union that brings important outreach work to the city of Cremona and beyond.
The ensemble works in synergy with schools, local young musicians, hospitals, nursing homes, and community centres, introducing and exploring both classical and contemporary repertoire
in these unique settings.
As individual ambassadors of their respective European countries, and having performed with renowned orchestras such as the European Union Youth Orchestra and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, the members aim to improve cultural and musical life throughout all of Europe.
Because of the diversity of its members, the ensemble also becomes an important meeting place for different cultures to interact, cooperate, and share ideas.
What is the purpose of music?
The name Agon, derived from the Ancient Greek term for ‘confrontation’ or ‘debate,’ reflects the ensemble’s core spirit.
The Agon Ensemble’s mission is to amplify musical expression by challenging its purpose in society. As a union of different cultures and traditions bringing art to the corners of the world that need it most, the ensemble is an artistic and intellectual confrontation to the status quo of where and why music exists.
The Agon initiative is the brainchild of Martino Moruzzi. Born in 1996 in
Cremona, Martino is a young clarinettist who has had the opportunity to meet many talented musicians in different musical environs during his international artistic activities. Martino currently holds the position of clarinettist at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Stockholm. He was a member of the prestigious European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) for several years, as well as an academician at the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in Stockholm and for two years principal bass clarinet in the renowned London Symphony Orchestra.
Having gained artistic and human experience in various European countries (as well as in South America, Cuba, and Canada), Martino has had the desire to bring artistic treasures, experiences, and events to his own city.
This desire fuelled him to resurrect the initiative, named AGON, created with tenacity and passion by his father Mauro Moruzzi over thirty years earlier.
Mauro was a clarinetist who left an indelible mark on the city of Cremona and the surrounding area.
In addition to his work as a professor of clarinet at the Cremona Conservatory and the Cagliari Conservatory and as clarinetist with the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, he also founded the Agon Music Association, which aimed to promote local musicians and implement various cultural and educational initiatives throughout the Cremona area.
Unfortunately Mauro Moruzzi passed away suddenly in 1999, without completing his dream of creating a stable project that would add value to the city of Cremona.
Martino decided that he wanted to continue his father’s ambitious project, and thanks to a meeting with Michiel Wittink (Netherlands) and Agnese Lecchi (Italy), both members of the project’s steering committee, Agon came to life in October 2022.
As already mentioned, the Ensemble is committed to enriching musical and cultural life starting first of all in the city of Cremona, with the future ambition to export the project to neighbouring communities and the whole European Community.
