Joseph Moog
Nominated for a Grammy in 2016 and recipient of prestigious awards such as the 2015 Gramophone Classical Music Award, the 2014 International Classical Music Award for "Instrumentalist of the Year," and the 2012 International Classical Music Award, Joseph Moog possesses the rare gift of combining exquisite virtuosity with an expressive, profound, and intelligent musicality. A master of both standard and rare or forgotten repertoire, the young performer has made a name for himself worldwide, also renowned for his own compositions and transcriptions.
The 2019/2020 season takes Joseph Moog to the most prestigious concert halls, festivals, and ensembles, including his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Richard Strauss's 'Burleske' under Emmanuel Krivine, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, the Odense Symphony Orchestra, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, as well as recitals at Wigmore Hall London, Théâtre La Scala Paris, Salle Philharmonique de Liège, the Steinway International Series Cardiff, the Turner Sims Piano Series Southampton, the Harrogate International Festival, Westminster Cathedral Hall, and the Kyiv Spring Festival. A particularly special performance will be his rendition of Liszt's piano transcription of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Ruhr Piano Festival, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Bonn master's birth, with which he has enjoyed a close collaboration since 2013.
The 2018/2019 season featured numerous highlights, including performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Matthias Pintscher, Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 5 at the Philharmonie Luxembourg, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 with the New Japan Philharmonic under Lawrence Foster at the Sumida Triphony Hall in Tokyo, 'Piano aux Jacobins' in Toulouse, and the Music Festival in Gdansk.
The 2019/2020 season takes Joseph Moog to the most prestigious concert halls, festivals, and ensembles, including his debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Richard Strauss's 'Burleske' under Emmanuel Krivine, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, the Odense Symphony Orchestra, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, as well as recitals at Wigmore Hall London, Théâtre La Scala Paris, Salle Philharmonique de Liège, the Steinway International Series Cardiff, the Turner Sims Piano Series Southampton, the Harrogate International Festival, Westminster Cathedral Hall, and the Kyiv Spring Festival. A particularly special performance will be his rendition of Liszt's piano transcription of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Ruhr Piano Festival, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Bonn master's birth, with which he has enjoyed a close collaboration since 2013.
The 2018/2019 season featured numerous highlights, including performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Matthias Pintscher, Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 5 at the Philharmonie Luxembourg, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 with the New Japan Philharmonic under Lawrence Foster at the Sumida Triphony Hall in Tokyo, 'Piano aux Jacobins' in Toulouse, and the Music Festival in Gdansk.
A significant highlight is the young artist's extensive discography, for which he has received numerous awards and outstanding reviews from the international press. In 2017, he recorded Johannes Brahms's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Richard Strauss's Burleske with the German Radio Philharmonic under the direction of Nicholas Milton. This was followed in November 2018 by his recording of the complete Études by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel's 'Gaspard de la Nuit'.
In October 2019, his long-awaited solo album 'Between Heaven and Hell', featuring the sonatas and legends of Franz Liszt, was released. Joseph Moog established his reputation as a soloist through concerts in the legendary Master Pianists series at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the International House of Music Moscow, the New Ross Piano Festival, and the La Roque d'Anthéron Festival, among others.
He has performed extensively in the USA, including at the Frick Collection in New York City, the Gilmore International Piano Series, Portland Piano International, the Washington Performing Arts Society, the Vancouver Recital Society, and the Miami International Piano Festival. Joseph Moog maintains a broad concert repertoire that has brought him together with leading orchestras worldwide.
Joseph Moog, the son of two orchestral musicians, is a recipient of the Prix Groupe de Rothschild and was appointed a Steinway Artist in 2009. He is a founding member and artistic director of the Konz Music Festival near his current residence in Luxembourg and is actively involved in promoting culture in his hometown of Neustadt/Weinstraße, as well as throughout Rhineland-Palatinate.
Alexander Hülshoff
Alexander Hülshoff, who grew up in the Palatinate region, has established himself both as a soloist and asHe has established himself as a chamber musician on concert stages worldwide. His great expressiveness and hisHis playing is characterized by a powerful, warm, and nuanced tone. It is received by the audience asEqually appreciated by musical partners, its outstanding features are onon the world's concert stages. As a soloist, he is a guest with German and international orchestras.such as the German Radio Philharmonic, the German State Philharmonic, State OrchestraRhineland Philharmonic, the Brno Philharmonic, the New Westphalian Philharmonic, the
Orquesta Sinfonica de Cordoba, the Northwest German Philharmonic, the OrquestaCiudad de Granada, Tel Aviv Soloist Ensemble, the Limburg Symfonie Orkest Maastricht,Georges Ensecu Philharmonic, Kymi Sinfonietta, Armenia Philharmonic Orchestra, Istanbul
Devlet Senfoni Orkestrasi, Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, Orquestra Sinfônica do Teatro NacionalBrasilia, Brazilian Symphony Orchestra (Rio de Janeiro), Mikkelin Kaupunginorkesteri, OrquestaSinfonica de la UANL and vam
His concert tours regularly take him to other European countries, near and far.East, as well as to Russia and North and South America.Chamber music occupies a central place in his performances and recordings, asCellist of the Trio Bamberg and in collaboration with numerous colleagues such as PinchasZukerman, Martin Stadfeld, Fazil Say, Friedemann Eichhorn, Hagai Shaham, Vadim Gluzman, demFine Arts Quartet, Orion Quartet, Gil Sharon, Rainer Honeck. He performs with them infamous halls such as the Berlin Philharmonie, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, De Doelen inRotterdam, Wigmore Hall in London and the Prinzregent Theatre in Munich, KonzerthausBerlin and so on
Alexander Hülshoff is the initiator and artistic director of the Kloster Kamp Chamber Music Festival.and is artistic director of Villa Musica, a foundation of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.Numerous CDs document his musical range, including works byBrahms, Beethoven, Schubert, Shostakovich, Bloch, Servais, and others. The following have been released:Recordings at Novalis, Naxos, Musicaphon, Brillant, VDM musical treasures and OehmsClassics.
In 1997, Alexander Hülshoff was appointed Professor of Violoncello at the Folkwang University of the Arts.He was appointed to the arts. Since April 2014, he has been the Artistic Director of the Orchestra Center|NRW, aEstablishment of the four music academies in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. He studied at theKarlsruhe University of Music and with Lynn Harrell at the University of Southern California, Los AngelesAngeles
Kai Adomeit
Having already completed a full recording of the at the age of only 22The publication of Sergei Rachmaninoff's piano concertos was followed by years of intensive work.Concert activities including further CD recordings, among others with the piano works andthe piano concerto by Antonin Dvorak, with works by Liszt, Chopin and FredericRzewski, as well as numerous recordings for radio, including theComplete piano sonatas by Nikolai Medtner.
Completely unexpectedly, the unconventional musician withdrew in search of new opportunities.Ways and goals for a longer period of time back from the stage andmarked 2012 with the cycle of Joseph Haydn's 55 piano sonatas withHis stage comeback was a great success. It also attracted particular attention.his series of performances in Mannheim, where he played the complete piano works of in 2015Ludwig van Beethoven played on several evenings. He appeared as a soloist, among others, with theGerman Radio Philharmonic Saarbrücken/Kaiserslautern, theState Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate and the Baden Philharmonic Orchestra Pforzheimunder the conductors Valentin Uryupin and Markus Huber. He also gaveRecitals and masterclasses in Denmark, Norway, Japan and the USA, among other places.
With Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th Piano Concerto in the great hall of theThe Elbphilharmonie Hamburg made its long-awaited return in April 2019.Soloist with orchestra.
In addition to continuing the cycle of two- and four-hand piano works by FranzSchubert's, he is currently occupied with preparations for the Beethoven Year2020 and the upcoming performances of the 32 piano sonatas and the entire
Chamber music work by the Bonn master.For many years he has formed a piano duo with Joseph Moog, whichalready thrilled audiences at the premiere of the Konz Music Festival in 2019. Just in time forThe major anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff in the 2022/2023 season will be celebrated by theThe eagerly awaited first joint album from the two exceptional pianists at theBritish label Onyx Classics will release the product.
Ensemble PRESENCE
The contributorsThe ensemble Presence is comprised of musicians who are primarily dedicated to…dedicated to contemporary music creation.
The Soprano Alexandra von der Weth
is a German opera and concert singerand vocal coach. Numerous guest appearances took her to [location] throughout her career.international stages, including the Metropolitan Opera New York, the Lyric Opera Chicago,
the Royal Opera Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera or the Glyndebourne Festival.For many years she was a member of the ensemble of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein.In 2003, at the height of her career, her voice failed her. After a lengthy period of...During the treatment phase, she was able to heal her vocal cords. In October 2010, she foundedshe is the Institute for Voice Training at the Center for Outpatient Medicine in Wuppertal.In recent years she has devoted herself with particular dedication to contemporary music,like Beat Furrer, John Cage, Sylvano Bussotti, George Crumb, Gerhard Stäbler and KunsuShim.
Ralf Zartmann
Ralf Zartmann is a freelance, classically trained drummer, percussionist, and percussion instructor. In addition to solo performances (including collaborations with Dame Evelyn Glennie), he is a regular guest with major symphony orchestras, theater productions, and festivals. For 16 years, he played percussion/timpani and performed as a soloist with the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra. Zartmann also directs the RZ PercussionGROUP (a specialized percussion ensemble). As part of his teaching activities, he gives annual school concerts in cooperation with cities in the Ruhr region and concert halls such as the Tonhalle Düsseldorf. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he performed as a soloist in the opera Gold (for one soprano and one percussionist) at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons.
Andreas Müller
(*1977) studied cello with Reinhard Latzko at the music academyBasel and with Clemens Hagen at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. He visitedMasterclasses for cello and chamber music, including with Arto Noras, Gabor Takács, Ferenc Rados
and Anner Bjilsma and has been awarded several times by the "Open Chamber Music" festival in PrussiaInvited to Cove, Cornwall.From 2003 to 2009 he was cellist of the Asasello Quartet. The quartet studied in [location missing] until 2006.Cologne with the Alban Berg Quartet (chamber music) and David Smeyers (new music). AlsoThe work was strongly influenced by Christophe Desjardins (Ensemble Intercontemporain,Paris) and Chaim Taub (Tel Aviv). Since 2010, Andreas Müller has worked as a soloist and freelance musician.He works as a cellist and regularly plays as a guest in various orchestras and ensembles.(WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, Ensemble Resonanz Hamburg, musikFabrik Cologne,Cologne Chamber Orchestra, among others).As a sought-after chamber musician, he performs with various ensembles. He has been a lecturer since [date missing].He has been active for many years in numerous courses for chamber music, cello ensembles and orchestras (including the NRW State Music Academy) and gives private cello and chamber music lessons in Cologne and Basel.
Ghenadie Rotari
He was born in Moldova. Originally, he wanted to become a pianist, butPragmatism led him to become an accordionist, a fortunate turn of events, he says.He became a celebrated master of the accordion. He studied atConservatory in Trieste and at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and at the Universitygraduated with a degree in music and theatre in Munich.His interest in contemporary music brought him into contact with prominent composers (such as...).Rebecca Saunders, Chaya Czernowin, Mark Andre or Matthew Shlomowitz) andEnsembles (such as Ensemble PHACE, Oktopus and MusikFabrik or the WebernChamber Philharmonic and the Augsburg Philharmonic).He is now celebrated as a master of the accordion, a true discovery, and givesConcerts given in Europe, North America and Asia in concert halls such as the CarnegieHall, the Berlin Philharmonic, St. Martin in the Fields or the Vienna Konzerthaus.Ghenadie Rotari currently teaches accordion at the Montafon Music School in Austria.Collegio del Mondo Unito dell'Adriatico in Italy, as well as the Gögglingen Accordion Club inGermany, where he also conducts the accordion orchestra.
Roland Techet
(*1967) began his studies with Prof. Norman Shetler at theWürzburg University of Music. Afterwards, he studied musicology in Tübingen. At theHe completed his Kapellmeister (KA) degree at the Stuttgart University of Music and Performing Arts.and piano studies (diploma).He worked as an opera chorus répétiteur at the Württemberg State Theatre in Stuttgart,was assistant to Prof. Gönnenwein and répétiteur of his madrigal choir, hadEngagements in Kaiserslautern (Pfalztheater), Munich (Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz),Düsseldorf (Deutsche Oper am Rhein) and Augsburg (Theater) each as Kapellmeisteras well as a guest conductor at the Plauen-Zwickau Theatre. He also founded the chamber choir.“anima mundi”, whose focus is on the a cappella literature of the Renaissance and the20th/21st century and which leads to a whole series of concerts and festivals(Schumann Festival, Cage Festival Düsseldorf, Opening Trier ...) was invited.Roland Techet is currently a freelance conductor and pianist.
Benjamin Schaefer
Benjamin Schäfer (* 1985 in Saarbrücken) ist ein junger Dirigent und Paukist.
Er wurde bereits mit 22 Jahren Solo-Pauker/Schlagzeuger im renommierten Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg. Darüber hinaus spielt er regelmäßig als Gast im Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks,
den Rundfunkorchestern des NDR, SR, der Dresdner Philharmonie, dem Gürzenisch Orchester Köln, sowie dem Staatsorchester Saarbrücken.
Nach dem Abitur studierte er an der Musikhochschule Trossingen bei Prof. Franz Lang (SWR Symphonieorchester) und Guido Rückel (Münchner Philharmoniker) Orchestermusik.
Während seines Studiums war er Pauker in renommierten Jugendorchestern, wie dem Bundesjugendorchester, der Jungen Deutschen Philharmonie, dem European Union Youth Orchestra und dem Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester.
Seit einigen Jahren widmet er sich intensiv dem Dirigieren. Er ist Leiter des Blechblasensembles des Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg und nimmt regelmäßig an Wettbewerben und Meisterklassen unter anderem bei Jukka-Pekka Sarastre, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Sakari Oramo und Jorma Panula teil.
2018 war er Halb-Finalist beim „7. Internationalen Jorma Panula-Dirigentenwettbewerb“ in Finnland.
Er ist außerdem Preisträger des 2. internationalen Dirigentenwettbewerbs Bukarest, bei dem er den Publikumspreis und den Special Talent Award gewann.
Andreas Becker | Horn
Andreas Becker was born in Saarbrücken in 1994 and received his first doctorate at the age of 6.He had his first piano lessons years ago.
He discovered the horn at the age of 11 and began his training at theReinhold Ernst, former solo horn player of the Saarland State Theatre, before he2013 in the horn class of Prof. Sibylle Mahni at the Saar University of Musicbegan his bachelor's degree studies.
Numerous masterclasses, including those with Prof. Marie-Luise Neunecker and Prof. Jörg Brücknerand Sarah Willis, provided important musical impulses and already during hisDuring his studies, he gained orchestral experience in the Young German Orchestra.Philharmonic, the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, the Kassel State Theatre and the
New Westphalian Philharmonic.
After temporary contracts with the German Radio Philharmonic Saarbrücken Kaiserslautern and the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, he has been the 1stSolo horn with the German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate in Ludwigshafenpermanently employed.
Hanna Mangold | Flöte
Hanna Mangold comes from Aachen and studied flute with Andrea LieberknechtShe studied at the music academies in Hanover and Munich. She was a Yehudi scholarship recipient.Menuhin Live Music Now, the German National Academic Foundation, and the GermanThe Music Life Foundation. It has won numerous awards at national and international competitions.such as the Nicolet Competition in Beijing and the German Music Competition with prizesExcellent. In 2012/13 she was part of the Federal Selection of Young Artists' Concerts. She wasIntern at the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne and member of the orchestra academy of theBavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Today she plays as deputy conductor.Solo flautist in the German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Besides playing in the orchestra, her great passion is chamber music. With herEnsemble, the Acelga Quintet, she won at the German Music Competition and theARD Music Competition awarded prizes and has since been a regular guest atConcert series and festivals throughout Germany and abroad.
Johannes Hund | Bassoon
Johannes Hund (*1995) erhielt seinen ersten Fagottunterricht im Alter von fünf Jahren bei Detlef Reikow. 2011 wechselte Johannes Hund als Jungstudent an die HfM Detmold zu Prof. Tobias Pelkner, bei dem er 2013 sein Bachelorstudium im Fach Fagott aufnahm. Weitere musikalische Anregungen lieferten ihm
Meisterkurse bei Klaus Thunemann und Sergio Azzolini. Orchestererfahrung sammelte er als Mitglied im
Bundesjugendorchester sowie im Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester.
Mit seinem Bläserquintett „qunst.quintett“ wurde Johannes Hund beim Deutschen Musikwettbewerb 2016 mit einem Stipendium sowie der Aufnahme in die Bundesauswahl Konzerte Junger Künstler ausgezeichnet. Im Jahr 2017 wurde das Ensemble Preisträger beim 9th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition in Japan. Bereits während seines Studiums spielte er als Gast beim Württembergischen Kammerorchester Heilbronn, der Nordwestdeutschen Philharmonie Herford sowie beim Gürzenich-Orchester Köln. In der Spielzeit 2017/18 war er Akademist des Gewandhausorchesters Leipzig, seit September 2018 ist er Solofagottist der Deutschen Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz
Julius Kircher | Clarinet
Julius Kircher was born in Heilbronn in 1981. He completed hisClarinet studies with Eduard Brunner at the University of Music inSaarbrücken.
After completing his concert studies, he was admitted to the academy of theRecorded by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, thenIn 2008, he was engaged as deputy solo clarinetist of the GermanState Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate in Ludwigshafen.
As clarinetist of the Acelga Quintet, he devotes himself in particular to theChamber music. The wind quintet is a prize winner of the 63rd InternationalARD music competition.
In October 2019, Julius Kircher took up the professorship for clarinet at the university.for music in Karlsruhe.
Rainer Schick | Oboe
Rainer Schick, born in 1965, achieved numerous awards as a teenager, including...at the "Jugend musiziert" competition, where he won the 3rd Federal Prize in 1981 and the 1st in 1983.won the Federal Prize in the field of oboe.
He studied under Prof. Heinz Holliger in Freiburg from 1984 and graduated there with a degree.Award. This was followed by sponsorship prizes at the German Music Competition in 1989 and 1989.
1991 and his inclusion in the federal selection “Concerts of Young Artists 1990/1991”. He wasScholarship recipient of the Baden-Württemberg Art Foundation, member of the German National Youth Orchestra and theYoung German Philharmonic.
Since 1989 he has been the solo oboist of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Philharmonic, and is also actively involved in other projects.
Chamber musician and soloist in many concert series, with a particular focus onHis work involves contemporary music. For example, in 2014 he conducted the GermanWorld premiere of the oboe concerto by Jörg Widmann with the German State Philharmonic OrchestraRhineland-Palatinate and recorded it as a live recording on CD.Tours as a soloist with the Tübingen Chamber Orchestra and other ensembles took him to
over 25 African and 10 Asian countries, as well as numerous European concert halls.
Charles Herrig
Charles Herrig lives and works near Koblenz on the Rhine. Even as a teenager, he was fascinated by jazz, his firstPerformances as a pianist and singer will follow soon.
He owes his stage name "Charles" to an enthusiastic US Air Force colonel at Spangdahlem Air Base. HereHe plays the great jazz standards in the officers' mess and discovers his love for composition.He is studying piano as his main subject at the "Cologne University of Music and Dance" with saxophone and flute as his minor subjects.and also acquires diplomas as a conductor and choir director.His musical output is very multifaceted: Charles Herrig can look back on many years of performing as a pianist,The bandleader and instrumentalist present, in addition to original compositions ranging from jazz to pop, orchestral and big band arrangements.Many of his recordings have been released on CD and digitally.The film and radio play music he regularly creates for productions by "PuzzleCat Entertainment" consistently achieves great success.thousands of subscribers and a million-strong audience.
Charles Herrig is currently working with Koblenz jazz legend Django Heinrich Reinhardt on his new album.The program "Back to SWING". Furthermore, the two musicians are jointly involved with numerous foundations andsocial initiatives such as the "Fritz Walter Foundation" of the DFB and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, "Lotto Kinderglück" or the"Social Music School Koblenz". Charles Herrig founded the duo in 2021 with his friend, "Oboe Doctor" Marc Schaeferdiek."pianoreed", which will make its debut this year as part of the Konz Music Festival
Marc Schaeferdiek
Marc Schaeferdiek regularly gives masterclasses for oboe and reed making in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Korea, Sweden, Israel, Luxembourg, Austria, America, France, etc.
• Books: The Oboe Doctor, Foundations of Playing Oboe, oboenbasis,
bassoon basis, Oboe School Volume 1, Oboe School Volume 2, Method for Oboe Vol. 1,
Fundamentals of Oboe Technique Volumes 1 and 2
• Solo concerts at home and abroad
• Since 2018, lecturer in didactics and methodology at the Mainz University of Music (JohannesGutenberg University)
• 2011 - 2019 Oboe teacher at the KMS Westerwald
• Since 2010, lecturer for oboe at the Rhineland-Palatinate State Music High School in Montabaur
• since 2009 Hogeschool Zuyd Maastricht Academy of Music
• Lecturer for oboe as the main subject at the Cologne University of Music/Aachen campus from 2001-2010 andWuppertal
• Various orchestral activities, including with the WDR Radio Symphony Orchestra Cologne, inGürzenich Orchestra Cologne etc.
• Member of the Trio Belle Epoque and the Cellini Trio
• 1996 Opening of the repair company "Die Oboe"
• 1992 Cultural Prize of the City of Aachen
• 1991 Orchestral activities in the World Orchestra
• 1989-1992 Member of the European Chamber Orchestra
• Oboe studies with Prof. I. Goritzki, among others
• multiple prize winner at the national competition "Jugend musiziert"
The Twiolins
Siblings Marie-Luise and Christoph Dingler are specialists in the violin duo genre.grew up in a musical environment – grandfather a bandmaster, mother a cantorand harpsichordist – they have, through their shared life story and constant collaboration,Music-making achieves a highest level of interplay and a unique sonic identity. That
In doing so, they not only perfect the existing repertoire, but also the tradition ofTranslating violin duets into the here and now is a special passion for both of them, and theirmost important concern.Therefore, in 2009 the Twiolins organized the Progressive, which they had initiated themselves, for the first time.Classical Music Award to expand the repertoire for two violins and
to develop further. In 2012, the Twiolins were awarded the Helene Hecht Prize of the city of Mannheim.It was awarded for this. The CD VIRTUOSO was released in 2011 from the award-winning works, followed by another in 2014.SUNFIRE. Their album SECRET PLACES was released in 2017 and the album EIGHT SEASONS in 2021.EVOLUTION – both were awarded the Silver Medal at the Global Music Awardsbecame.
Training
Marie-Luise and Christoph started playing the violin at the age of 7 and had already been taking lessons for 4 years.later as a violin duo they participated in the "Jugend musiziert" competition, where they won first place six times in the following years.He won a federal prize. Numerous other prizes followed during his school and university years*.Their talent was recognized early on, and they were already enrolled as pre-students at the age of 14.
They were accepted to the Mannheim University of Music under Prof. Nodel. After graduating from high school, they studiedwith Prof. Bratchkova, also in Mannheim, and completed their diploma in artistic training.and graduated with top marks in solo training.
Solo performances and media
As soloists, they have performed with, among others, the German Radio Philharmonic and the Baden-Baden Philharmonic.the Brandenburg State Orchestra, the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra, theOrquestra Simfònica del Vallès (Barcelona), the New Ideas Chamber Orchestra (Lithuania), theMannheim Philharmonic Orchestra, the Kurpfalz Chamber Orchestra, and were featured several times in the
national and international radio and television broadcasts (SWR, SWR2, RBB, Center TV,Desh TV and others).
Tours and references
They performed internationally in New Zealand, China, India, Bangladesh, Türkiye,Tunisia, Spain, Italy, France, Lithuania, Austria and Switzerland, in national andinternational festivals and concert series (including Mozartfest Würzburg, Rudolf-Oetker-Halle,Amberg City Theatre, Black Forest Music Festival, Hamm Classical Summer, HohenloheCultural Summer, Weilburg Castle Concerts, North Hesse Cultural Summer, Villa MusicaMusic experience Munich, Kintai Music Festival Lithuania, etc. Joint concerts andArtistic collaborations resulted, among others, with 'Spark – the classical band', Yuri Revich,Julian Rachlin and Aleksey Igudesman.Their violins are also siblings and come from the master workshop of Martin Schleske.They recently acquired a viola by Gentges and Scheit, Berlin.
Luxembourg Jazz Orchestra (LJO)Directed by Ernie Hammes
This classic big band formation brings together some of Luxembourg's finest jazz musicians with their colleagues from the Greater Region, regularly hosting international guest musicians. The Luxembourg Jazz Orchestra originated from the "Tribute To Big Band Jazz" project, which Ernie Hammes launched in 1993 for the "Printemps musical" festival in Luxembourg. The big band consists of five saxophones, four trumpets, four trombones, and a rhythm section. Their repertoire ranges from timeless jazz originals by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie, to name just a few, to the most modern works and original compositions by its musicians.
In 2018, the Luxembourg Jazz Orchestra celebrated its 25th anniversary and can proudly look back on concerts with American saxophonists Bob Mintzer (2003 and 2010) and Don Braden (2009), Belgian trombonist Phil Abraham and Italian trumpeter Andrea Toffanelli (2004), American trombonist Slide Hampton (2006), pianist and singer Freddy Cole (2008), American trumpeter Jon Faddis (2011), Belgian singer David Linx (2011), Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine (2012 and 2019), the New York Voices (2013), Dominican pianist Michel Camilo (2014 and 2018), Panamanian drummer Billy Cobham (2017), and the Canadian "Jazz Sisters" Christine Jensen (saxophone) and Ingrid Jensen. (Trumpet) (2018) looking back.
The concerts took place in the auditoriums of the Philharmonie Luxembourg, the Luxembourg City Conservatory, and the CAPE (City of Ettelbruck), as well as in many different cultural centers in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. The LJO has also frequently performed at the Luxembourg City Blues and Jazz Rally.
The LJO's participation in the official ceremony for the awarding of the European Jazz Trophy "Euro Django 2007" also deserves special mention. Together with the "Saint-Michel" Choir, they performed Nils Lindberg's Jazz Requiem at the Philharmonie in 2008. In 2015 and 2016, the orchestra participated in the "Queen Swings" project by Luxembourgish singer Serge Schonkert. The LJO also garnered great enthusiasm in 2019 for its participation in the "Jazz for Kids" project at the Philharmonie in Luxembourg.Unfortunately, 2020 became a year of silence for the orchestra…and yet the Big Band looks confidently to the near and distant future: In April 2022, the LJO will play the opening concert for the international competition for Big Bands in the theater of the city of Esch-sur-Alzette.
The Luxembourg Jazz Orchestra is supported by the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture.
Ernie Hammes - musical director of the LJO
A few words about the LJO's musical director: Ernie Hammes is undoubtedly one of Luxembourg's most renowned jazz musicians. A professional musician in the Grand Ducal Military Orchestra, he is active in both classical and jazz. His performances have taken him across Europe, to the United States, and to Australia, with some of the most prestigious bands, including the Carla Bley/Steve Swallow Big Band, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, and musicians such as Diane Schuur, Chaka Khan, The Supremes, Lew Soloff, Bob Mintzer, Claudio Roditi, Claude Bolling, Paul Anka, and Amina Figarova. He has also toured the world with Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band.
He can be heard on many recordings; his latest CD, "Evolution," was released in 2018. The highlight of his compositional work was the world premiere of his piece (commissioned by the Ministry of Culture) during the civil ceremony at the Philharmonie on the occasion of Luxembourg's National Day in 2019.
German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate
The German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate has been performing since its founding over a hundred years ago.The music brings music to the people. The orchestra never had its own concert hall; it was always...The musicians are touring all over the country. Without a doubt, the State Philharmonic is a...Migratory bird. Its driving force is the movement towards the audience. A perfect performance is like a
Impressively synchronized flight maneuvers: Numerous individuals form a precise formation.an organized swarm that reacts quickly and sensitively to one another. Through concentratedObserving more distant flock members can help migratory birds to begin
Anticipating changes in direction or formation – much like the orchestral musicians do.Pay attention to your colleagues while playing.
In the shadow of the First World War, committed citizens came to Landau in September 1919.together to decide on the founding of a touring national symphony orchestra. After theFollowing its inaugural concert on February 15, 1920, the orchestra embarked on its first concert tour through theThe Palatinate and the Saarland. Thus began the history of the German State Philharmonic.Rhineland-Palatinate, which can now look back on a 101-year tradition.Even in its early years, the orchestra, under the direction of Richard Strauss, caused a stir andHermann Abendroth garnered supra-regional attention. Chief conductors such as Christoph Eschenbach andLeif Segerstam, now honorary conductor, helped the ensemble gain international recognition. AlsoMichael Francis, who has been chief conductor of the German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate since the 2019-20 season, will provide numerous new impulses and thus continue the tradition of the orchestra.As an orchestra without a permanent home, the symphonic provision of the state remains theThe most important task of the State Philharmonic. With over 100 concerts per season, it brings music toThe people. Guest performances at home and abroad, as well as collaborations with international partners.The presence of prominent conductors and soloists attests to the high esteem in which the orchestra is held.Outreach and family-oriented programs enrich the offerings for young people. Including rehearsal visits.And even the youngest children are introduced to the world of classical music through crawling concerts.Regular concert recordings by SWR and Deutschlandfunk Kultur, as well as numerous CD productions, round off the diverse range of activities of the State Philharmonic.
A love of travel and a sense of new beginnings characterize the orchestra not only geographically.The State Philharmonic Orchestra is also constantly embarking on journeys in a figurative sense. Music for theFor them, bringing people to the area means not only being present, but also connecting with the people.directly accessible. Thus, even 101 years after its founding, the orchestra remains an integral part of the community.of cultural life and more than ever a cultural beacon for the state of Rhineland-Palatinate andover and beyond
Michael Francis - Chief Conductor, German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate
Michael Francis has been chief conductor of the State Philharmonic Orchestra since the 2019-2020 season. He is in his fifth year as principal conductor.Season Music Director of the Florida Orchestra and has been responsible for musical andartistic director of the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego.He received return invitations to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra and to Tampere.
Concerts will follow withincluding the MDR Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest German Philharmonic, the WürttembergischePhilharmonie Reutlingen as well as with the symphony orchestras in St. Louis, San Diego and Indianapolis.Previous engagements took him to orchestras in Europe such as the Radio Symphony Orchestra.Berlin, the MDR Symphony Orchestra, the Dresden Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, RoyalPhilharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra London, Orchester Philharmonique de Radio France,Trondheim Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.He also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra on several occasions. He was supported by, among others, Valery Gergiev.also Sir Colin Davis.
In Asia, he conducted the NHK Symphony Orchestra and the Japan Philharmonic.Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Hong Kong Philharmonic. In North America, the New YorkPhilharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras in Pittsburgh, Houston, and Atlantaor Cincinnati.
He worked with soloists such as Lang Lang, Arcadi Volodos, Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman, ChristianTetzlaff, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Håkan Hardenberger, Truls Mørk, Ian Bostridge, Sting and RufusWainwright collaborated
