Nasmé Ensemble

“Nasmé”, in Arabic, means “breeze”. The ensemble brings together five young Palestinian musicians, all with established international careers, who share their artistry alongside one of Europe’s most renowned musicians, violinist Michael Barenboim.

Michael comes from a distinguished tradition of cultural multilateralism. As concertmaster, he has been a key figure in the renowned West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, founded by his father, Daniel Barenboim. In the wake of the devastating attack of October 7, 2023, he felt a deep need to highlight and affirm, through music, the richness and cultural depth of the Palestinian people by bringing together, in his view, their finest musicians.

Katia, Fadwa, Soheil, Hisham, and Ibrahim come from different regions of historic Palestine and embrace this project as a symbol of unity and harmony among peoples—ideals to strive for despite political constraints and the challenging social reality they face.

The newly formed Nasmé Ensemble, after its live national television debut on Italian Rai 3 on October 7, 2024, performed in Berlin on January 8, 2025, before embarking on a five-concert tour of the Canary Islands. Their program proposals features masterpieces by Dvořák, Mozart, Brahms, and Rossini, alongside a work by Kareem Roustom, a Syrian-born composer, inspired by Palestinian songs and dances, and a piece by Salvador ‘Arnita, a pioneering composer of the early 20th century and a key figure in the Palestinian cultural renaissance.

The ensemble regularly performs in benefit concerts organized by Make Freedom Ring for Palestine, including the aforementioned concert in Berlin on January 8, 2025, a particularly significant event in their journey.