Niall Brown
Denis Benda
She was trained by her father, the pianist Sebastian Benda, and subsequently studied at the Vienna University of Music with Paul Badura-Skoda, at the Basel Academy of Music with Rudolf Buchbinder, and at the Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh with Murray Perahia.
Benda has performed in 20 countries and in prestigious concert halls such as the Vienna Musikverein, the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, the Palace of Culture and Science in Prague, the Barbican Centre in London, the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, and the Teatro Sistina in Rome. She has also appeared at international music festivals including the Festival International de Piano La Roque d'Anthéron, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the Semaine Internationale de Piano Blonay, and the Orford Music Festival in Canada.
In 2003, she founded the international "Berengaria" chamber music festival in Cyprus, where she served as artistic director for ten years. Chamber music always played a leading role in her artistic career. She was a member of various chamber music ensembles and collaborated with numerous prominent artists, including Josef Suk, Tibor Varga, Evgenia Tschugajeva, and Isabelle Faust.
Benda is deeply dedicated to teaching: For many years she has been a professor of piano chamber music at the renowned “Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna” (MUK) and regularly gives masterclasses in Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Taiwan, Japan, Brazil and Argentina.
Many of her students have won prizes at international chamber music competitions in recent years (ARD Munich, International Osaka Competition, Duo Competition Monaco, Città di Pinerolo e Torino, The Art of Duo Boulder–Colorado, Schubert Competition Jeseník, Città di Padova, International Duo Competition Ischia, International Piano Competition Roma, Concurso Mirabent Barcelona, Brahms Competition Pörtschach, Vittorio Gui Firenze, Gianni Bergamo Classic Music Award Lugano, Concours de Quatuors à Cordes Bordeaux, Fidelio Competition Vienna).
In 2012 she was appointed Professor of Chamber Music at the Würzburg University of Music.
Elisabeth Perry
Later she moved to the Netherlands, where she spent over 30 years as concertmaster of leading Dutch radio orchestras.
was active. As a passionate advocate of contemporary music, she brought works by composers such as Michael Nyman and
Andrew Poppy for the world premiere. She taught violin at the HKU (Utrecht Conservatory) and is active as a chamber musician, continuing to teach and perform throughout Europe and Great Britain.
Richard Wolfe
Duo Trüb Brown
Isabelle Trüb, piano, and Niall Brown, cello.
Founded in 1989, the duo Trüb Brown has earned an international reputation for elegance, refinement, and a profoundly cohesive interplay. Celebrated for their masterful interpretations, the duo has performed extensively in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, consistently receiving outstanding reviews for performances that combine technical virtuosity with musical nobility and interpretive insight.
The duo's extensive discography on the Doron label includes recordings of the complete works of Robert Schumann and Gabriel Fauré, as well as numerous radio broadcasts in many countries. Their long-standing connection with the Konz Music Festival is reflected in both their artistic and pedagogical commitment: Niall Brown serves as artistic director, and both musicians are also professors of chamber music. The Trüb Brown Duo first performed at the festival in 2017, underscoring their enduring presence on the international chamber music scene.
Joseph Moog
Sandrine Cantoreggi
Further information:
www.sandrinecantoreggi.com
Integra Quartet
Due to its musical depth and purity of sound, it quickly gained international recognition
acquired. As a prize winner of the ARD International Music Competition in Munich (second prize and
Audience Award, 2022) and the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London (third place)
Awarded the Prize and Sidney Griller Award, 2025), the ensemble brings a distinctive voice
into today's chamber music scene.
The quartet is currently based in Hanover and builds and performs, among other things, at the String Quartet Festival of the
Heidelberg Spring, the chamber music series in Wiesbaden, the Smetana Festival in Pilsen, in the Old
Opera Frankfurt, as well as in Merano and Budapest.
Rooted in the great quartet tradition and open to new musical accents, the quartet explores
Integra offers a wide-ranging repertoire from Haydn and Beethoven to Bartók, Ligeti and composers of the
present and combines intellectual curiosity with emotional depth in his artistic identity.
The Quartet Integra was founded in 2015 at the Toho Gakuen Music High School in Tokyo, as four
young musicians with a shared passion for chamber music came together and have been doing so ever since.
They have developed a special, intimate chemistry. The ensemble received its early training from Kazuhide.
Isomura and Nobuko Yamazaki at the Toho Gakuen School of Music, later as Chamber Ensemble-in-
Residence at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, where he worked with Martin Beaver, Jonathan Brown and Clive
Greensmith collaborated with him, and is now continuing his artistic development under Oliver Wille at the
Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media continues.
David Stromberg
Cellist David Stromberg seeks new listening experiences – be it with the Baroque cello, the cello piccolo, or the modern cello. He is fascinated by early music as well as contemporary music, he searches for new forms of expression in improvisation, arranges well-known masterpieces so that they appear in a completely new guise, and he researches forgotten instruments.
Together with cellist Sebastian Hess, David Stromberg rediscovered the composer Emanuel Moór. In cooperation with Bavarian Radio, they recorded a CD of Moór's solo and chamber music works. They were accompanied by the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra in the Double Concerto for Two Cellos.
His CD "Transition" was released in cooperation with Deutschlandradio. On it, he performs Schumann's Cello Concerto, Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, and other Romantic character pieces in his own arrangements for cello and wind quintet. David Stromberg published these arrangements with Sikorski Music Publishers. "A completely new character. This is worth listening to!", SWR2. "The works gain a new intensity," NDR Kultur. "Crystal-clear treasures," Concerti Magazine. The CD was named "CD of the Week" by SWR. Further reviews appeared in renowned print media such as "Die Welt," "Wiener Zeitung," and "sonic Magazine."
The complete recording of Johann Sebastian Bach's solo cello suites on Baroque instruments was released in summer 2022 by the Oehms Classics label. "He thus creates both a cohesive world across the six suites and a precise focus on the details of each movement and phrase," Pizzicato Magazine. "A challenge with a happy ending," Crescendo Magazine.
His CD "Sonatas for Duplex Piano and Cello" was released in May 2023. Together with Florian Uhlig, he recorded sonatas by Moór, Dohnányi, and Strauss. "Their gripping, direct playing makes the agitated inner life of the works perfectly audible," Pizzicato Magazine. "A fascinating album," Südwest Presse. The CD was presented on RBB, NDR, SWR, WDR, and Deutschlandradio.
David Stromberg organizes the "Emanuel Moór Concert Series" at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. With violinist Lena Neudauer and pianist Florian Uhlig on duplex piano, he performed Emanuel Moór's Triple Concerto at the opening of the new Siemens Auditorium in Erlangen; Deutschlandradio recorded the concert for broadcast.
David Stromberg completed his cello studies at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre in the class of Prof. Wolfgang Mehlhorn and at the Edsberg Castle Music Institute in Stockholm with Prof. Frans Helmerson. Improvisation has long been a focus for David Stromberg, and he gives masterclasses on the topic of "Improvising Cadenzas in Classical Solo Concertos" at music academies.
www.davidstromberg.de
Seohyeon KIM
She participated in prestigious competitions for the position of first flute soloist, reached the final and was on the waiting lists of the following orchestras: Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, Orchestre National de France and l'Opera de Paris.
At the age of 18, she took up her first position as principal flute soloist in the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne under the direction of François-Xavier Roth for the 2020-2021 season. In January 2022, she was unanimously elected principal flute soloist of the Zurich Philharmonic by the orchestra members.
In 2024, she was selected by the Initial label and released her debut album, Dali, which blends French music with traditional Korean music, Arirang. On this album, she explores her musical roots and also plays the traditional Korean flute. The album was praised by Rondo magazine, which named it "CD for Sunday." Passionate about teaching, she led the flute class at the Conservatoire de Carrières-sur-Seine until 2023. Simultaneously, she maintains her interest in early music and continues her transverse flute studies with Jan de Winne at the CNSMDP. She is also a member of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic, where she develops her artistic career under the tutelage of Emmanuel Pahud, Jelka Weber, and Egor Egorkin.
Han-Wen Jennifer Yu
She studied chamber music with Prof. Gudrun Franke and Prof. Gerald Fauth at the Leipzig University of Music and Theatre, graduating with distinction. Masterclasses with professors such as Robert Levin, Graham Johnson, Brigitte Engerer, Volker Banfield, Margo Garrett, Warren Jones, and Martin Katz furthered her training. She received a scholarship to the Aspen Music Festival in 2010-11. In 2010, she participated in Songfest and was accepted as one of the Marc and Eva Stern Fellows. In 2013, she was awarded the Music Academy of the West Special Piano Scholarship in the USA.
She is a regular guest at the Konzer Summer Concert. Han-Wen Yu is a prizewinner of numerous national and international competitions. The Yamaha Music Foundation of Taiwan awarded her a scholarship in 2006. She won first prize at the Taichung City Piano Competition and first prize at the Seidof International Piano Competition.
Piano competition and 1st prize at the Vienna International Piano Competition. In 2014, she won 1st prize at the Clara Schumann Duo Competition in Leipzig, Germany. In 2016, she won 1st prize with cellist Mon-Puo Lee at the 19th Kiejstut Bacewicz International Chamber Music Competition in Poland, and the prize for best piano accompanist at the George Enescu Festival Competition in Romania.
As an active pianist, Han-Wen has performed in the USA, Taiwan, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, and France. Her performances have been broadcast by Performance Today (NPR), America's Music Festivals (NPR), Chicago Radio, Deutschlandfunk, and medici.tv. She has also performed as a soloist with the Trier Philharmonic.
Furthermore, Ms. Yu holds a teaching position in piano accompaniment at the New England Conservatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She served as a piano accompanist at the Foulger International Music Festival in 2012, the Prague Summer Nights Festival in 2015, and the Euro Music Festival & Academy from 2016 to 2020. From 2010 to 2013, she worked as a studio pianist for Grammy Award winner Kim Kashkashian at the
NEC. In 2017, she worked with cellist Kian Soltani and maestro Daniel Barenboim. Since 2019, she has been the official pianist at the International Louis Spohr Competition in Weimar, and since 2022, the official pianist at the George Enescu Competition in Bucharest, Romania. Since 2024, she has regularly collaborated with the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic. Her previous and current
Her collaborators include the International Tchaikovsky Competition, the Queen Elisabeth Competition, and members of the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic. She now lives and works as a freelance pianist in Berlin.
Three Ears
"Symphonic density, homogeneous overall sound, chamber music intensity and emotionality"
(FAZ) – these words describe the exceptional quality of the Trio Orelon, which has been around since its
Founded in Cologne in 2019, it has established itself as one of the most exciting chamber music ensembles.
In a very short time, the trio has won important national and international competitions,
including:
First prize and audience prize at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich,
First Prize and Special Prize at the International Chamber Music Competition in Melbourne, First Prize and Special Prize at the "Schubert and the Music of Modernity" competition in Graz. Judith Stapf (violin), Arnau Rovira i Bascompte (cello), and Marco Sanna (piano) have received further awards at competitions such as the Premio Trio di Trieste, ICM Pinerolo-Torino, the Schumann Competition in Frankfurt, and the Mendelssohn Competition in Berlin, and are winners of the 2025 Tiemann Ensemble Prize at the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival. The name "Orelon," borrowed from the world language Esperanto, means "ear" and symbolizes the central importance of listening in their music. The trio, whose members met at the music academies in Cologne and Berlin, dedicates itself with curiosity and passion to the diversity of the piano trio repertoire. Her interpretations combine profound musical harmony with unbridled energy and a pronounced sense of nuance.
Concert tours take the trio to renowned halls and festivals such as the Concertgebouw Amsterdam,
The Trio Orelon has performed at the Vienna Musikverein, the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin, the Prinzregententheater in Munich, the Heidelberg Spring Festival, and the Ravenna Festival in Italy. In its programs, the Trio Orelon combines classical masterpieces with lesser-known works, immersing its audience in innovative thematic concert concepts. With "Beethoven's Daughters," the trio has launched a groundbreaking project that puts the music of forgotten female composers in the spotlight. Moderated concerts place these works in relation to Ludwig van Beethoven, thus creating a new perspective on female composition. Following their successful debut album featuring works by the American composer Amy Beach (Da Vinci Classics, 2022), the trio dedicated its second album to the composers Dora Pejačević and Amanda Maier; exceptional voices of the Romantic era who were underestimated during their lifetimes and later almost forgotten. The ensemble's most recent recording presents Antonín Dvořák's Piano Trios Nos. 3 and 4 (CPO, 2025).
Trio Rinaldo
Leonardo Ricci – violin, Rebecca Ciogli – cello, Lorenzo Rossi – piano
As winners of the 44th edition of the Premio Abbiati (the Piero Farulli Prize for the best young ensemble), Trio Rinaldo has performed at renowned institutions and festivals such as I Concerti del Quirinale, Trani InOnda and La stanza della musica, which was broadcast live on Rai Radio 3; Chigiana Summer Festival and Asolo Musica, where they also performed together with Maestro Bruno Giuranna; Classiche Forme, Festival delle Nazioni, Emilia Romagna Festival, Italian Cultural Institute in Prague, Pałac Biskupa Erazma Ciołka in Krakow and Lisinski Hall in Zagreb.
Among the awards they have received are third prize at the 10th Stasys Vainiūnas Competition in Vilnius, the Grand Prix at the Dragon International Competition (followed by a tour of China in 2026), the A. Burri Prize in Città di Castello, and the Cosima Wagner International Concert Competition in Bellagio. The ensemble was selected as a Britten Pears Young Artist 24–25, which grants them participation in an artist residency that includes two performances at the historic Jubilee Hall in Aldeburgh, as well as lessons with James Baillieu, the Heath Quartet, Isabel Charisius, Elena Urioste, and Melissa White. They also received the Pergolesi-Spontini Foundation – Orlando European Summer Course – RESIDART scholarship.
The ensemble, founded at the "R. Franci" Conservatory in Siena, refined its skills at the Accademia Chigiana under B. Giuranna and C. Greensmith, where it received diplomas of merit and the Pia Bassi Scholarship. Since 2022, the trio has been enrolled at the "W. Stauffer" Academy in Cremona and, since 2025, at the "Santa Cecilia" Academy in Rome. In 2022, the trio participated in the "Avos Project" after receiving the "Avos" scholarship and first prize at the "Riviera Etrusca" competition. The trio has participated in numerous masterclasses and workshops with the Maisky Trio and maestros Francesco Dillon, Enrico Pace, Marco Fornaciari, Mark Messenger, Isabel Villanueva, Matteo Fossi, and Andrea Lucchesini.
The trio is part of the project “Italian Young Musical Talents in the World”, which was launched by the Accademia Chigiana in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the CIDIM – the Italian National Music Committee.
Exit Quartet
Das Exira Quartett wurde im September 2025 in Berlin gegründet und vereint vier junge Musiker, die durch eine gemeinsame künstlerische Neugier und ein starkes Engagement für die Kammermusik verbunden sind. Das Ensemble entstand in der lebendigen Berliner Musikszene und entwickelte durch intensive Zusammenarbeit und Betreuung schnell seine eigene musikalische Identität.
Das Quartett hat mit namhaften Künstlern wie Daniel Barenboim, Michael Barenboim, Krzysztof Specjal, Suyeon Kang, Mihaela Martin und Rainer Honeck zusammengearbeitet, deren Anleitung maßgeblich zur Prägung des künstlerischen Ansatzes und des Klangs des Ensembles beigetragen hat.
Das Exira Quartett ist bereits im Pierre Boulez Saal aufgetreten und bereitet derzeit ein umfangreiches Konzertprogramm vor. Zu den bevorstehenden Auftritten zählen Konzerte in Berlin im Musikinstrumentenmuseum sowie zwei Konzerte mit der Fondazione I Teatri di Reggio Emilia.
Darüber hinaus wurde das Quartett für die Residenz im Juni in der Casa del Quarteto ausgewählt, wo es eng mit dem Diotima Quartett zusammenarbeiten wird, um seine künstlerische Entwicklung und die Auseinandersetzung mit zeitgenössischem und klassischem Repertoire weiter zu vertiefen.
Neben dem klassischen Kernrepertoire für Streichquartett widmet sich das Ensemble insbesondere der Aufführung von Musik, die mit dem kulturellen Hintergrund seiner Mitglieder verbunden ist, darunter Werke aus der Türkei, dem Libanon und Russland. Indem es diese Traditionen in einen Dialog mit dem etablierten Kanon bringt, möchte das Exira Quartett das Konzerterlebnis bereichern und Brücken zwischen den Musikkulturen schlagen.
