Alou String Quartet delves into the sound world of jazz, groove, and improvisation, weaving multifaceted elements into the texture of the classical string quartet format—à la the Turtle Island String Quartet.

The four musicians—Myrsini Bekakou (violin), Alma Gröning (violin), Davis West (viola), and Esther Thoben (cello)—bring an impressive combination of musical interplay and personal connection to the stage.

Their modern arrangements and original compositions reflect a versatility shaped by the four individual life paths and a shared enthusiasm for diverse musical styles. The quartet invites audiences to immerse themselves in a world of rich harmonies, dynamic rhythms, and deep improvisation.

Initially starting as an improvisation-focused chamber ensemble employing a unique toolset of hand-sign language, Leipzig based IDEAL ORCHESTRA quickly evolved into a platform for avant-garde orchestral music. 


With the constant addition of new compostions by Gellért Szabó the orchestra’s performances have become a synergy of conducted improvisations and meticulously crafted compositions. 
Audiences are taken on an unpredictable sonic voyage, seamlessly blending unexpected bursts of brutalist noisewalls with cinematic soundpaintings.

Currently the orchestra comprises 23 musicians with a unique instrumentation, each one of them contributing to the ensemble’s distinctive sound.

Alejandro Barria – cello 

Friederike Bartel – saxophone

Myrsini Bekakou – violin

Nora Benamara – voice

Lorenz Bergler – bass clarinet

Maximilian Bischofberger – voice

Johannes Bode – drums

Johannes Buttlar – drums

Madeline Cain – voice

Rebecca Chammas – voice

Stephan Deller – double bass

Georg Demel – trombone

Valle Döring – organ

Gustav Geissler – saxophone

Barnabas Herrmann – voice

Felix Kothe – drums

Christopher Kunz – saxophone

Gregor Littke – trombone

Benjamin Mahns-Mardy – voice

Simon Lucaciu – piano

Ronja Sophie Putz – violin

Philipp Reinsch – tuba

Steffen Roth – drums

Marietheres Schneider – voice

Susanne Stock – accordeon

Alma Trunk – trombone

Gellért Szabó – conducting



compositions by Gellért Szabó
Monument (2022)
Gellért Szabó’s Ideal Orchestra