ANDREAS KLEIN

Pianist
Andreas Klein is widely admired as a pianist of rare sensitivity and musicality. The Washington Post has praised his “articulate and flowing pianism” while the New York Times called him “a pianist who makes silences sound like music.” About a recent Glenn Gould tribute (with the Minguet String Quartet), the Calgary Herald reported, “(Klein brings) to his performance a mature understanding…as well as a brilliant execution”, while Classical Voice of North Carolina (CVNC) was even more blunt: “Andreas Klein is a stupendous pianist…a stunning performance by any standard, and it brought the audience to its feet in a rousing ovation.”  

He has performed in many of the leading houses of Europe, from Wigmore Hall in London to the Berlin Philharmonie, as well as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and is at home with the grandeur of playing with the Berlin Philharmonic or the vast reaches of the Ravinia Festival (where he received two standing ovations) as he is with the intimacy of Le Poisson Rouge (NYC). He has extensively toured North America, with ensembles including the Salzburg Chamber Soloists (a 20-city tour) and the Festival Strings of Lucerne (10 cities) and in South America, where he performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil. Some exotic places on his concert tours included Damascus and Yerevan.  

Since his meteoric start in his native Germany, performing recitals and as soloist with orchestra, he eventually answered the call to go to the Juilliard School in New York. But the highly focussed and musical approach to every work he performs was nurtured by one of his early teachers, the great Claudio Arrau. It is a philosophy Klein is credited with continuing.

In recent years Klein has added more forays into chamber music alongside his concerto and recital repertoire, including major projects with the Minetti Quartet and the Casals Quartet (Schumann's Piano Quintet - US tour and Casals Festival, Puerto Rico). These collaborations have taken him to important venues such as Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, Spivey Hall near Atlanta and the Wortham Center in Houston.  A frequent broadcaster, Klein has often appeared on WGBH Boston, WFMT Chicago,  APR in ST Paul and KUHF in Houston.

He was the subject of a "Musician Portrait" in Germany and his "Intermezzo with Andreas Klein" was televised by PBS. His recordings, "Piano Sonatas" and his album of music by Beethoven and Berg, have won admiring reviews (he is also an admired recording producer). And his self-composed new cadenzas for Mozart piano concertos have also won widespread praise. "Whatever the composer, whatever the project," he says, "for me it is about being inside the music."

Excerpts from the press

"Pianist who makes silences sound like music"
New York Times

"Sensitive interpretation"
The Times London

‍‍"Elaborate display of technical prowess. Klein resembled a sketch artist bringing a scene to life with quick virtuoso strokes and shading - Klein conveyed an impression of narrative momentum underlying a musical structure, regardless of how explicitly programmatic."
Washington Post

"Klein is an Interpret above all modern, who gives detailed attention to the interpretation of the work and executes a clear picture of the structure of the piece. He accomplishes with immaculate technique a rare beauty of sound."
Stampa Sera, Rome, Italy

SURPASSING MUSICALITY - "... played without unnaturalness, often somewhat fragile in tone, delicate, but with strong endings."
Berner Zeitung, Switzerland

"Andreas Klein, a pianist of the highest caliber, performed both Beethoven Sonatas in E major, opus 109, and in A major, opus 101, with dramatic expression, bravura, and a flawless technique: yet the slow and lyrical phrases were shaped with subtle sensitivity."
Dresdner Neueste Nachrichte, Germany

A LISTENING INDULGENCE - "The interpretation of Schubert's Impromptu in B flat major belongs to one of the most beautiful pieces presented in this concert. Klein played ingeniously, each single note differentiated, vivid and in every regard intended."
Berliner Morgenpost, Germany

"Andreas Klein played this work with grace, melodious sound and plenty of brilliance, revealing an immaculate technique." (with the Berlin Philharmonic)
Tagesspiegel, Berlin, Germany

"Impeccable technique, a distinct understanding for Mozart's pianistic style using muted dynamics and resonant touch." (with the Berlin Philharmonic)
Der Abend, Berlin, Germany

CONCERT OF AN EXTRA CLASS - "The virtuoso Klein, a pianist counted among the extraordinary class was able to set a new milestone into the history of the Mosel Festival."
Rhein Zeitung

"Klein's Beethoven was spot-on. In tender moments, such as the Andante, the pianist brought to the music great sensitivity and mystery, and where the score turns boisterous, such as his solo cadenza, Klein tapped reserves of power that seemed limitless."
Plain Dealer

Recent Reviews

"Internationally renowned concert pianist Andreas Klein joined forces with the Stockton Symphony to tackle Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4. His precision and communication with conductor Peter Jaffe made this daunting work a thing of beauty and brilliance. The contrasting dialogue between piano and strings in the brief but moving second movement evoked conflict and sadness, which is soon eclipsed by the ecstatic rondo of the third movement.

A bright, unmistakably Schubertian opening sets the tone for the piece. From Klein's first entry throughout the entire Liszt's Schubert Fantasie he played with articulate clarity while displaying expressive technique and craftsmanship. I was particularly taken with his voicing in the slow, second section, one of two solo passages that featured Klein. The ensemble between orchestra and soloist was excellent, providing an uninterrupted flow from beginning to end. Perhaps the most exciting moment was the return of the opening theme in the final section, scored in fugal imitation propelling the fantasy to its grandiose conclusion, where one could not help but hear Liszt's impact on the work."

The Post Crescent"

Magnificent and impressive was Andreas Klein in Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto. In his entire interpretation he gave back the composers torment between intellect and emotion and with the superb command of his technique, the loud passages were never aggressive, his tonal colors were limitless, his scales always sparkled. Most gripping and impressive was his huge dynamic range; his control to produce a flawless shading down to a barely audible sound was breathtaking."

Grevenbroicher Zeitung, Germany

"Your performance was nothing short of spectacular. I still have people saying to me that they were blown away by the performance and the experience. And the sponsor was thrilled with performance and the reaction of the public.
"
Fundacion Paiz para la Educacion y la Cultura, Guatemala

"Maestro Andreas Klein's impeccable execution, his excellent sense of voicing - a rare caliber of musician - It was only a pity to realize the absence, with few exceptions, of other pianists, musicians and artists, who would have been able to take advantage and enjoy the excellent performance of maestro Klein. The combination of skill and affection he showed as an interpreter was of a quality rare to find in a soloist. Thank you, maestro."
Sunday Magazine, Prensa Libre
Represented Worldwide by Marianne Schmocker Artists International @ 2022/2023

ATOS TRIO

Piano Trio

Annette von Hehn, violin
Thomas Hoppe, piano
Stefan Heinemeyer, cello

“Three voices – one sound: it´s this absolutely perfect unit of phrasing, sound, feel and interpretation that distinguishes the ATOS Trio from all others” - Detroit Free Press                                                                           

Formed in Berlin, Germany in 2003  the ATOS Trio has established itself as one of the finest piano trios performing before the public today.  After intensive studies with Ilan Gronich, Menahem Pressler and the Alban Berg Quartet, the Trio won the Deutsche Musikwettbewerb, the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award and the Melbourne Chamber Music Competition. A New Generation Artists Award from the BBC and a Borletto Buitoni Award soon followed.  

Since then, the ATOS Trio has performed in many of the world's prestigious halls - at Carnegie Hall New York, Teatro Colon Buenos Aires, Wigmore Hall London, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Berlin Philharmonic Kammersaal, to name but a few - with a repertoire that includes all the piano trio masterworks as well as many a lesser known treasure and contemporary pieces.


"They were Austrians in Haydn, Czechs in Dvorak, and Russians in Shostakovich."
O Estado de Sao Paulo, Brazil

"... One of the elite Piano Trios playing before the public today."
The Washington Post, USA

“The ATOS Trio performs with extraordinary presence and clarity, with an insisting intensity, always powerful and accentuated, with pose and aplomb, but at the same time heartfelt.”
Klassik-Heute, Peter Heissler
Represented in the US, Canada and Mexico by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @2022/2023

ARIS QUARTETT

String Quartet
Anna Katharina Wildermuth, violin
Noëmi Zipperling, violin
Caspar Vinzens, Viola
Lukas Sieber, cello

Expressive, dynamic, spectacular– the Aris Quartet has been at home on international stages for more than a decade. With its unmistakable sound, it has long been known as one of the world’s top-rank chamber music ensembles.  The musicians have performed in venues including London's Wigmore Hall, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Herbst Theatre San Francisco, and the Philharmonie de Paris. Their choice of chamber music partners is exceptional: Christiane Karg, Tabea Zimmermann,Daniel Müller-Schott, Eckart Runge, Kit Armstrong and Nils Mönkemeyer. The ensemble also devotes itself to cross-genre projects, including with the jazz pianist Omer Klein. From the very beginning, the musicians have also placed a special focus on contemporary music. Composers such as Lukas Ligeti, Gerald Resch, Misato Mochizuki, and Pierre Dominique Ponnelle have entrusted the Quartet with world premieres of their works.   Founded in Frankfurt am Main in2009, the Aris Quartet, one of whose most important mentors has been Günter Pichler (Alban Berg Quartet), continues to perform to this day in an unchanged format. The ensemble’s success is no coincidence: having earned numerous first prizes at prestigious competitions, the Aris Quartet quickly achieved its international breakthrough. The musicians have also been honored as ECHO Rising Stars by the European Concert Hall Organization, were among the BBC's New Generation Artists, and have won five awards at the ARD International Music Competition in Munich.   In addition to regular appearances on radio and television, the Aris Quartet has already released six CD productions that have received considerable acclaim from critics. Further releases on Deutsche Gramophone and STAGE+ will follow in 2023 and 2024.

Excerpts from the press

"The Aris Quartet is seen as the future of the classical music scene..."
ZDF aspects

"One of the most sensational ensembles of the young generation"
ARTE

"The Aris Quartet proves world class ..."
MIRROR

"Almost sensationally well made music..."
ORF

"Highly nuanced and exciting..."
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

"One of the outstanding string quartet formations ..."
Deutschlandfunk

"World class music..."
Southgerman newspaper

"A rousing interpretation..."
Phone forum

"Brilliantly played..."
BBC Music Magazine
Represented in the US, Canada and Mexico by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @2022/2023

AVNER DORMAN

Composer / Conductor
Avner Dorman writes music of intricate craftsmanship and rigorous technique, expressed with a soulful and singular voice. A native of Israel now living in the United States, Dorman draws on a variety of cultural and historical influences in composing, resulting in music that affects an emotional impact while exploring new territories. His works utilize an exciting and complex rhythmic vocabulary, as well as unique timbres and colors in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings. The world's finest orchestras, conductors, and soloists regularly perform Dorman's music, and many of his compositions have become contemporary staples in the repertoire. Dorman's music is championed by conductors including Zubin Mehta, Ricardo Chailly, and Andris Nelsons, and by soloists Gil Shaham, Martin Grubinger, and Hilary Hahn.

Dorman's first opera, Wahnfried, which garnered intense media interest and was hailed as a "masterpiece" by Opernwelt, returns to Karlsruhe in the 2017-2018 season for a second run as part of the Badisches Staatsoper staging of Wagner's complete ring cycle. The work - which depicts the relationships between the failing English scientist Houston Stewart Chamberlain, the Wagner family and the young Adolf Hitler - has culminated in a decisive round of "bravos" from the critics.

Dorman is currently working on a new, innovative opera project for Houston Grand Opera, which will make its debut in the spring of 2018. A new suite, for Solo Violin, commissioned by the ARD competition in Munich as a compulsory work, will be premiered there this fall.  Four Marimbas, commissioned by Jianli Percussion, will receive its world premiere in Spain, and Dancing with the Torah at Mount Meron premieres in Poland, performed by Zofo piano duo.

Other highlights of the 17-18 season include multiple performances of Nigunim, featuring violinist Gil Shaham, Mandolin Concerto featuring Avi Avital and Kremarata Baltica, Jerusalem Mix, featuring Ensemble 4.1, and Variations on a Simple Theme, featuring the Myriad Trio. Dorman's popular percussion concertos, Frozen in Time and Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!, will also be played by a variety of soloists and orchestras around Europe.

Other highlights from recent seasons include: the world premieres of Piano Sonata No. 5, written for the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition, Siklon, premiered by the Cleveland Orchestra, and After Brahms, which premiered in 2016 and has already received a dozen performances, including a run with the Sydney Symphony conducted by Asher Fisch.

In the fall of 2017, Dorman begins his fifth year as music director of CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra, with five performances of John Corigliano's Red Violin Concerto with acclaimed violinist Tessa Lark. The program also includes Schumann's Symphony No. 3 and Genoveva Overture. Later in the season he will lead CityMusic Cleveland in a concert dedicated to Muslim and Jewish composers and to the striking stories of the Sarajevo Haggadah and the Timbuktu library. The season closes with an all-Beethoven program.

Dorman's music has garnered numerous awards and prizes. At the age of 25, he became the youngest composer to win Israel's prestigious Prime Minister's Award for his Ellef Symphony. He has earned several international awards from ASCAP, ACUM, and the Asian Composers League. His music is available on Naxos, Deutsche Grammophone, Canary Classics, and other labels. He holds a doctorate in composition from the Juilliard School and serves as Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.

Avner Dormans music is published exclusively by G. Schirmer, Inc.

Excerpts from the press

“wide-ranging, appealing, breathtakingly virtuosic, sophisticated enough to appeal to an audience of classical aficionados, and approachable enough to appeal to people who have never been to an orchestra concert.”
Anne Midgette, Washington Post

“Dorman skillfully led the 40-piece chamber orchestra in nuanced and nearly flawless performances ”

Daniel Hathaway, Cleveland Classical


“The orchestra under Dorman was similarly effective.”
Zachary Lewis, The Plain Dealer

“The reading of this exuberant and optimistic symphony that followed was enthusiastic and satisfying, thanks to Dorman’s overall conception of the piece, and the energy of the ensemble’s young players.”
Mark Satola, The Plain Dealer

"The performance under Dorman, full of fire and vim, was uncommonly spirited.”
Zachary Lewis, The Plain Dealer
Represented worldwide by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023

DIEGO MARTIN ETXEBARRIA

Conductor
Principal Resident Conductor of the Chemnitz Opera House since 2020 he has been Principal Resident Conductor and Deputy Music Director of the Opera Houses in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach from 2016 to 2020. Diego Martin-Etxebarria first came to international attention when he was awarded First Prize, the Hideo Saito Award and the Asahi Award at the Tokyo Conducting Competition in 2015.

Highlights of the season 2022/23 include opera (a Gala next to Gregory Kunde and Carlos Álvarez at Teatro Real, Janacek's "Das schlaue Füchslein" and Léhar's "Die lustige Witwe" at the Theater Chemnitz) and ballet (Prokofiev's "Cinderella") as well as several concerts leading the Robert Schumann Philharmonie. Maestro Etxebarria will also give his debut next to the Filharmonía de Galicia with works by Georges Bizet and Germaine Tailleferre.

Maestro Etxebarria has been invited by international orchestras such as the Osaka Philharmonic, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony, Nagoya Philharmonic, Kansai Philharmonic, Osaka Symphony, Central Aichi Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, Philharmonisches Orhester Freiburg or the St. Petersburg State Capella Symphony. In his homeland he has conducted the Spanish National Orchestra, the Spanish Radio and Television Symphony, Bilbao Symphony, Euskadi Symphony, Galicia Symphony, Barcelona Symphony, Tenerife Symphony, the City of Granada Orchestra, Málaga Philharmonic, Oviedo Philharmonia as well as the Vallés Symphony.

In the operatic field, he has conducted Paul-Heinz Dittrich's Die Verwandlung and Die Blinden at the Berliner Staatsoper; Puccini's La Bohème at the Theater Augsburg; Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde", Verdi's "Aida", Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail", Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel", Zimmermann's "Der Schuhu und die fliegende Prinzessin" at the Theater Chemnitz; Donizetti's Don Pasquale in Terrassa; Donizetti's Rita at the Volksbühne in Berlin; Donizetti's L'Elisir d'amore in Teatre Principal de Palma, Vigo, Ourense and Pontevedra; Montsalvatge's Puss in boots at the Teatro Real in Madrid; Mozart's Die Zauberflöte at the Kleines Haus Dresden; Bizet's Carmen at the Santa Florentina Festival, Adés' Powder Her Face at the Arriaga Theater in Bilbao; Llorca's Tres sombreros de Copa at the Teatro La Zarzuela (Madrid) Tempesta Esvaïda at the Fortuny Theatre in Reus; Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel, Menotti's The Consul, Verdi's Nabucco, Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, Offenbach's Orphee aux Enfers, Kálmán's Die Faschingsfee and Dvorak's Rusalka, at the Opera Houses in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach.

He has recently recorded an album for SONY with music by Albert Guinovart conducting the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra as well as Udo Zimmermann's opera “Der Schuhu und die fliegende Prinzessin” for Deutschlandfunk. Previous recordings include the CD "Intimitats" with award-winning music by composer Marc Timón, the lyric comedy "La Viola d'Or" by Enric Morera (Enderrock Award for Best Classical Album Review 2016), the DVD "Sinfokids 2” at the head of the Euskadi Symphony Orchestra and the short opera by Joaquim Serra Tempesta esvaïda conducting the Camera Musicae Orchestra.

Martin-Etxebarria began his musical studies at the Conservatories of Amurrio and Vitoria and graduated in orchestra conducting at the University of Music of Catalonia. He was granted by the Humboldt Foundation and the DAAD-La Caixa for post-graduate studies in opera conducting at the Hochschulen in Weimar, Dresden and the Academia Chigiana in Siena with Gianluigi Gelmetti. Other conductors who have influenced his career include Riccardo Frizza, Donato Renzetti, Dima Slobodeniouk, Christopher Seaman, Jesús Lopez Cobos, Titus Engel and Lutz Köhler.

Excerpts from the press

"Most crucial to the evening’s success was Diego Martin-Etxebarria, Chemnitz’s principal resident conductor, who expertly marshalled Verdi’s marches and choruses while highlighting subtleties of orchestration in between. The Met’s monumental, literal-minded “Aida” has accustomed me not to think too much about Verdi’s final grand opera; the team in Chemnitz goes considerably deeper."
The New Yorker

"Maestro Diego Martin-Etxebarria dealt with all the musical and theatrical material with the ability and security of someone well seasoned and well trained in many pits. His work seemed to me meritorious and demanded a great concentration to have everything ordered and channeled."
Mundo Clásico

"One quickly got used to the open sound in the empty auditorium, especially since Diego Martin Etxebarria with the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker developed an excellent sound volume, colorfulness and delicacy, with which the orchestra meticulously supported the psychogram on stage."
O-Ton Kulturmagazin

"Diego Martin-Etxebarria's splendid baton was able to transmit the sonorous essence of the score, conducting an ORCAM very much in keeping with the approach."
Ópera Actual

"Diego Martin-Etxebarria's musical direction renounced to traditional consecration and grandeur and celebrated a highly modern Mozart with elegance and fluent liveliness. The Niederrheinische Sinfoniker played with stylistic confidence - I would even say with outstanding virtuosity. We haven't heard such a convincing Mozart in a long time - to do so one has to drive far."
Das Opernmagazin
Represented in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Nordic Countries and other by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023

ENSEMBLE 4.1

Piano Windtet
Thomas Hoppe, piano
Joerg Schneider, oboe
Alexander Gluecksmann, clarinet
Christoph Knitt, bassoon
Sebastian Posch, horn

FOUR wind soloists from top German Orchestras and ONE pianist  devote themselves to this still undiscovered wonderful musical genre.

The communicative powers through its music and the intoxicating atmosphere this group creates on stage has repeatedly been praised by critics and has become a hallmark of the ensemble 4.1.

In addition to the original masterworks for this instrumentation by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, the ensemble is devoted to discovering rarely played compositions from the Romantic and Modern periods. After many years of silence, composers like Walther Gieseking, Theodor Verhey, Herrmann Zilcher and Arne Oldberg are again being performed for an enthusiastic public.

The beginnings of the group were overseen and fostered by the renowned Goethe Institute, who assisted with the initial concerts and worldwide tours. Since its inception in 2013, the ensemble 4.1 has already crisscrossed the globe and performed recitals in China, Pakistan, Austria, Germany, Algeria, Canada and the USA, in cities such as Berlin, Istanbul, New York City, Toronto, Ottawa, Karachi, Shanghai and Chengdu. They have appeared with great success at festivals in Denmark and on Malta, as well as at the Kotor Festival in Montenegro.

Excerpts from the press

"Ensemble 4.1 dazzles at Phillips concert series."
Washington Post

"4.1 exhibited a superb blend of sound, technique and musicianship."
Virginia Gazette

"Such wonderful musical experience! And very rare, on top of that! The ensemble 4.1 must be one of the very few, if not the only „Piano Windtet“ with steady members: four highclass woodwind players and one excellent pianist."
Schwaebische Zeitung

"A totally different, very special type of music!"
Badische Zeitung

"Ensemble 4.1 impressed the entire audience with their performance of seldomly heard works by Beethoven, Gieseking and the American composer Oldberg."
Haller Tagblatt

"It is absolutely evident just how much joy these musicians of 4.1 experience when they perform. The ensemble 4.1 not only plays in total harmony together, but their dedication to the music and the performance is shinnig through every note."
DeWeZet
Represented in the US, Canada & Mexico by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023

FABIAN ZIEGLER

Percussionist
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In his young career, Fabian Ziegler has already achieved a goal in commissioning stunning new repertoire for percussion. He is committed to giving life to innovative compositions by renowned composers, such as John Psathas, Avner Dorman, Serj Tankian, Arash Safaian, Daniel Schnyder and many more. His goal is to elevate percussion repertoire to another level, working on original and meaningful projects with leading composers in the international music world. Fabian Ziegler is committed to bring the best of percussion repertoire to the people, to introduce them new and striking pieces for solo percussion and chamber music with percussion Instruments. In the years 2021/2022, collaborations with the Musikkollegium Winterthur, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra Wellington, the Zürcher Singakademie, and many more will take place.

The percussionist Fabian Ziegler is an unusually talented young musician. Judging by his numerous prizes and awards, it is already known that he brings something special to those who hear him. In the past few seasons there have been debuts with the Argovia Philharmonic, the Musikkollegium Winterthur and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich.

Ziegler, who was Young Artist at the renowned Davos Festival in 2017 - 2020, impressed the public and the press with works by artists from Iannis Xenakis to Astor Piazolla. In addition to pianist Sebastian Knauer and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra he delivered in "Überbach" by Arash Safaian the shimmering crystalline vibraphone sound for the cross-genre project "Digital Symphony" in Zurich and with the Munich Bach Collegium at the famous Prinzregententheater in Munich. Fabian Ziegler has also performed at other important locations such as the Konzerthaus Berlin, the KKL Luzern, the Kulturcasino Bern, the Tonhalle in St. Gallen and the Lincoln Center in New York City. In 2017 he also performed with Martin Grubinger's Percussive Planet Ensemble.

Fabian Ziegler fascinates the audience with his varied and imaginative programming and carries a multitude of instruments with him that can be used to create a wide variety of soundscapes. His repertoire ranges from Bach to Cage to Xenakis and beyond. He frequently takes part in world premieres by renowned composers, including Christos Hatzi's “Tongues of Fire” (percussion concerto) in 2017 and Emmanuel Séjourné's double concerto for vibraphone, marimba and wind orchestra in 2016.

He not only appears frequently as a percussion soloist, but also founded his own concert series entitled “Marimba Recital Concerts”. Fabian Ziegler has been welcoming international guests from the world of percussion since September 2015. In 2018 the “Swiss Percussion Night” concert format was added. Inquisitive and open-minded, he has no inhibitions or reservations. This applies not only to the repertoire that he cultivates and conquers, but also to concert formats.
In addition to their homogeneity and technical prowess, the Aris Quartet captivates audiences through their passionate interpretations and ability to communicate easily with audiences. Described by the press as "thrilling", FONO FORUM; "gripping" Sueddeutsche Zeitung; and "finely nuanced and exciting" Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Born in Switzerland, he completed his Bachelor of Arts in music at the Zurich University of the Arts with Prof. Klaus Schwärzler, Prof. Raphael Christen, Prof. Benjamin Forster, Martin Grubinger and Prof. Rainer Seegers. Also in Zurich, he completed a Master of Arts in Music (Performance Soloist) in September 2019. In addition to his regular studies, he also took part in international masterclasses with Katarzyna Mycka, Jean Geoffroy, Svet Stoyanov, Conrado Moya, Beverly Johnston, and many more.

Excerpts from the press

"In my opinion, the young percussionist clearly belongs to the Swiss soloists with a profile for an international career. He not only convinces musically, but also has a very distinctive stage presence."
Thomas Pfiffner

“Fabian Ziegler takes on the challenging program with technical mastery in music-making that is as rhythmically delicate as it is virtuosic..."
PIZZICATO
Represented as General Management except US and Canada and South America by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023

FAURE QUARTETT

Piano Quartet

Dirk Mommertz, piano
Erika Geldsetzer, violin
Sasha Frömbling , viola
Konstantin Heidrich, cello

The requirements have changed. Whoever is playing chamber music today can’t be limited to the rules from decades ago. The expectations regarding the diversity of repertoire have changed, which creates room for ensembles like the Faure Quartet, which has established itself as one of the world’s leading piano quartets within just a few years. Dirk Mommertz (piano), Erika Geldsetzer (violin), Sascha Frömbling (viola) and Konstantin Heidrich (cello) use the opportunities arising from these developments. They discover new sound fields in chamber music and perform compositions outside the mainstream repertoire.

They are visionary in their approach and highly regarded for their experiments and discoveries; be it performances with the NDR Big Band, collaborations with artists like Rufus Wainwright or Sven Helbig, appearances in clubs like the Berghain, Cocoon Club or “Le Poisson Rouge” in New York or TV shows in KIKA or “Rhapsody in School”, getting children excited in chamber music. When they released their album “Pop Songs” in 2009, there was a great deal of buzz in the press and audience. In the following year, the ensemble was awarded the ECHO Classic for their album “classic beyond borders”, their second award after their recording of Brahms’ piano quartets (Chamber Music recording of the year, 2008). Other prizes include the German Music Competition, the ensemble prize from Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, international competition and recording awards, Music Prize Duisburg and Brahms prize Schleswig Holstein.

The musicians of the Faure Quartet are pioneers in many ways. After they met during their studies in 1995 in Karlsruhe for the 150th anniversary of Gabriel Faure, they quickly realized, that this combination offered new insights into undiscovered repertoire. In 2006, they signed a contract with Deutsche Gramophone, promoting them to the Champions League of the classic music business. They made highly regarded benchmark-recordings with works by Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn and pop songs from Peter Gabriel and Steely Dan as well as works from Mahler and Richard Strauss (Sony Classical). on one album. Currently the quartet is releasing the world’s first-ever recording of Mussorgsky's “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Rachmaninov's “Etudes-Tableaux” in their own arrangements on the Berlin Classics label.

Worldwide tours raise their profile abroad and international masterclasses are part of their work with students. The members teach at the universities of Berlin and Munich. Moreover, they were Artistic Directors of “Festspielfrühling Rügen” and are ‘Quartet in Residence’ at the University of Music Karlsruhe. During their tours, the musicians appear in the world’s most important chamber music venues; including Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Berlin Philharmonic, Teatro Colon Buenos Aires and Wigmore Hall London. All these mosaics form a unique profile for this defining chamber music ensemble.

Excerpts from the press

"The Faure Quartet members proved just as successful in Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, a much better-known quantity. Again, the musicians brought both strength and refined lyricism to the work, as with the vivacious lilt to the Intermezzo and a charming insouciance to the movement's coda."
Chicago Classical Review

"The whole performance had a prismatic vigor."
Indianapolis Star

"This was a performance of great finesse and sensitivity."
Register, Napa Valley

"The communication between the four performers was as beautiful to watch as their music was satisfying to hear. This quartet thinks and breathes as one, focused on a singular, clear vision for their music making."
Toronto Star

"By any standards the individual members of the Faure Quartett play extremely well. What is especially impressive, however, is how well they play together and how well balanced is the total ensemble."
Calgary Herald
Represented in the US, Canada and Mexico by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023

MINETTI QUARTETT

String Quartet

Maria Ehmer, violin;
Anna Knopp, violin;
Milan Milojicic, viola;
Leonhard Roczek, cello

Marking the Fifteenth Anniversary, the Minetti Quartet started a concert cycle  during the 2017-18 season at Vienna's newest venue, the MuTh Concert Hall situated in the city's famous Augarten. Due to its success, they continued this series into the  2019/20 to consolidate their Viennese Roots. Highlights of the most current seasons are appearances at the famous European concert halls such as the Wiener Musikverein, Tonhalle Zurich, Concert house in Bilbao, Spain, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Mozarteum Salzburg and tours to Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and America.The CD Recording with 20th Century music is slated for a release soon.

The name Minetti derives from a play by dramatist Thomas Bernhard who lived in Ohlsdorf, Austria in the Salzkammergut Region, where also the two violinists of the quartet grew up.

Since being nominated for the "Rising Stars" Award by the European Concert Hall Organization in 2008/09, the Minetti Quartett, comprising of Austrian Musicians living in Vienna, has performed in the renowned venues in Vienna, Berlin, Cologne, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Stockholm, Brussels, London.  Invitations to chamber music festivals have taken the Minetti Quartett to North, Central and South America, Australia, Japan and China. Many of their concerts have been recorded and broadcast by international radio stations.

Chamber music partners have included, Fazil Say, Till Fellner, Alois Posch, Martin Froest, Paul Meyer, Joerg Widmann, Sharon Kam, Istvan Vardai, Camille Thomas, Andreas Klein, the Mandelring Quartett and with soloists of the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. As orchestra soloists the quartet has performed with the Bruckner Orchestra of Linz and with the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Vienna.

The Minetti Quartett is a winner of many international chamber music competitions such as the Schubert and Haydn Competitions and was awarded Austria's Grosser Gradus ad Parnassum Prize, a start-up grant of the Austrian federal ministry and the Karajan Grant.

Johannes Meissl and the musicians of the Alban Berg Quartet were the Minetti Quartet's teachers at the Music University in Vienna. They also gained crucial artistic input from Ferenc Rados, Alfred Brendel and members of the Artemis, Amadeus and the Hagen Quartets by participating at European Chamber Music Academy (ECMA) courses.

Since 2009 Haensler Classic has released four highly acclaimed CD recordings (Haydn, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Schubert) by the ensemble, while Avi Music has released the Clarinet Quintets The quartet has undertaken teaching projects in Finland, Mexico, Spain, Sweden and at American and Austrian universities (Mozarteum Salzburg, Music University of Graz).

The Austrian National Bank has placed two violins by G. B. Guadagnini (Mantegazza of 1774 and ex Meinel of 1770-1775) and a cello by G. Tononi (Bologna, 1681) on loan to the quartet..

Excerpts from the press

"The Minetti Quartett is a musical sensation from Austria"
Tagesspiegel, Berlin

"As a quartet they were as flawless as desirable in a live performance!"
Ionarts, Washington, DC

"Captivating transparency, drama, accuracy, and with lightness and depth, as the best under the top ensembles can."
Frankfurter Allgemeine"

"The Minetti Quartett puts on an impressive Show"

Vermont Independent
Represented in the US, Canada and Mexico by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023

Stephen Mulligan

Conductor / Composer
American Conductor and Composer Stephen Mulligan has served as Resident Conductor with the Cincinnati Opera, Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony, and Dudamel Conducting Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. 
 
2023-24 season highlights include conducting debuts with the Louisiana Philharmonic, San Antonio Philharmonic, and the University of North Texas Opera, and return engagements with the Dallas and Phoenix Symphonies. As a composer, Stephen Mulligan will present his own compositions at the Boulez Saal in Berlin with students from the Barenboim-Said Akademie.

As a lover of and advocate for the music of today, he conducted on the New York Philharmonic's Sound ON Series in 2022 and was reinvited for the 65th Street Session Series in 2023.
 
As a fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Stephen Mulligan stepped in for Gustavo Dudamel on short notice to conduct an all-Beethoven program featuring pianists Beatrice Rana and Conrad Tao. He led Stravinsky’s L’
Histoire du Soldat with Kate Burton as narrator and conducted an All-Ravel Toyota Symphonies for the Youth Concert directed by Kitty McNamee. In addition, he prepared the casts of John Adams’ Nixon in China for the composer and Stravinsky’s Perséphone for Esa-Pekka Salonen. 
 
During the first season as Associate Conductor with the Atlanta Symphony he stepped in on short notice for three classical subscription programs over the course of six weeks, working with mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano
and pianists Jorge Federico Osorio and Behzod Abduraimov to critical acclaim. 
 
In demand as guest conductor, he has conducted programs with the Detroit Symphony, Dallas Symphony, the Gulbenkian Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and the Virginia Symphony.
 
Stephen Mulligan is the winner of the Aspen Conducting Prize, which he received after two summers as a Conducting Fellow at the Aspen Music Festival and School, along with an invitation to return the following summer
as the festival’s Assistant Conductor. He is also a three-time recipient of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award and the Yale University Wrexham Prize.
 
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he began his violin studies with his father Gregory then with Kyung Yu at Yale University. He honed his conducting skills with Gustav Meier, Markand Thakar, and Marin Alsop at the Peabody Institute, and with Robert Spano at the Aspen Music Festival. He has a degree in composition with Jörg Widmann from the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin.

Excerpts from the press

"...full of color & shot through with light...five out of five stars."
LAURENCE VITTES FOR BACHTRACK
Los Angeles Philharmonic, All-Beethoven Program
Stephen Mulligan is represented worldwide by Marianne Schmocker Artists New York and Munich Stephen

TRIO BOHEMO

Piano Trio
Jan Vojtek, piano,
Matouš Pěruška, violin
Kristina Vocetková, cello

Shortly after its formation in 2019, Trio Bohemo's talent and deep musicality became apparent. The trio received numerous awards. First they caused a stir at the Gianni Bergamo Award in Lugano, Switzerland, where they were awarded second prize. Due to this success, the trio was accepted into the “Le Dimore del Quartetto” network, which later awarded him the prize for Ensemble of the Year 2021. In the same summer they received several special prizes at the “ISA Festival” in Austria such as best interpretations of Viennese Classical Music and for the Czech Contemporary Chamber Music such as by Bohuslav Martinů. A few days later they won first prize at the “International Filippo Nicosia Award” in Italy.

In 2021, Trio Bohemo not only received the first prize, but also the audience prize at the “International Johannes Brahms Competition” in Austria and the “International Parkhouse Award” in London.

During 2022 and 2023, Trio Bohemo continued to achieve successes on the competition circuit and with debuts. The trio was on BBC Radio's '3 In Tune' show. This was followed by the first prize and the prize for the best interpretation of the composition by S. Vainiunas at the “Stasys Vainiunas International Chamber Music Competition” in Vilnius, Lithuania and the was awarded the top prize at the International Joseph Joachim Competition in Weimar (without awarding the first prize) and the prize for best performance of a contemporary piece. The “ISA Festival” in Austria once again gave Trio Bohemo an award, this time for best chamber music ensemble with piano.

In 2023 they received first prize, the prize for the best interpretation of Haydn, and the audience prize at the “International Joseph Haydn Chamber Music Competition” in Vienna. The trio also won third prize and the audience prize at the “Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition” in Australia,
which led to a re-invitation. On top of that, it also received the “Czech Chamber Music Society” Prize.

Debut concerts include the Vienna Musikverein, Wigmore Hall in London and Stoller Hall in Manchester, UK. They performed at numerous festivals such as the Prague Spring, CZ, Black Forest Music Festival, DE and in Ghent at the Festival van Vlaanderen, BE.

Trio Bohemo were members of the “European Chamber Music Academy” from 2020-2022 and studied under the direction of Hatto Beyerle, Johannes Meissl, Patrick Jüdt and Avedis Kouyoumdjian.

Thanks to the generous support of Dr. Jan Telenský plays Matouš on a very good violin by Matteo Goffriller. Kristina plays a beautiful cello by Fausto Maria Bertucci.

Excerpts from the press

“...They are the music this world needs. You know how to inspire the audience."
Wigmore Hall Debut

“Precision, dedication and a spark of magic”
A prefect description from the critic in Göttingen for the Czech Trio Bohemo.
Trio Bohemo has World Representation with Marianne Schmocker Artists, New York, Munich

Tristan Rais-Sherman

Conductor
Conductor Tristan Rais-Sherman is one of America’s exciting conducting talents, who was immediately recruited as Conducting Fellow by The Philadelphia Orchestra after receiving his Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory. Due to his exemplary work on and off the podium, he was promoted to Assistant Conductor for the 2023-24 season. In this capacity, he will lead the orchestra in various performances and continue assisting Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and guest conductors. As a finalist of the renowned 2023 Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, he conducted the Bamberg Symphony.

He has already made successful debuts with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the San Diego Symphony. During the 2023/24 he made his debut with the Baltimore Symphony and conducted several engagements with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Billings Symphony Orchestra with a 24 hour notice.  
In recognition of his emerging prominence, Tristan received the “Career Assistance Award” from the US Solti Foundation for the third time 2024 in 2023 and 2022. 

His passionate commitment to engage and support future generations is reflected in his educational work. This included guest conducting the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Music Academy, the San Diego Symphony and the New England Conservatory Symphony. His enlightening masterclasses at the Philadelphia International Music Festival and the educational programs he held with the Philadelphia Orchestra were unanimously praised. Tristan's committed to presenting the classical as the contemporary repertoire accessible to the audience of today.  Tristan's approach to conducting has been shaped by top industry leaders such as Hugh Wolff, Kenneth Kiesler, Cristian Măcelaru, David Zinman, Sian Edwards, Neil Varon and Jeffrey Meyer. He holds an artist's diploma from the New England Conservatory, a master's degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor's degree in cello performance from Ithaca College. 

Tristan Rais-Sherman is represented by Marianne Schmocker Artists New York- Munich 

Tristan Rais Sherman künstlerische Vertretung ist Marianne Schmocker Artists International New York-Muenchen

TRIO CON BRIO
COPENHAGEN

Piano Trio
Soo-Jin Hong, violin
Soo-Kyung Hong, cello
Jens Elvekjaer, piano

“We can now see the Con Brio as the worthy successors of the legendary Beaux-Arts Trio. That says it all!”- Díapason“

Radiant Russian memorials and unforgettable playing...”- BBC Music Magazine

Recognized as one of the world’s finest piano ensembles, the Trio con Brio Copenhagen’s multifaceted members are notably performing artists who tour extensively, but also esteemed recording artists, artistic directors and educators. The Trio appears regularly at the world’s leading venues and concert series, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, Berlin’s Pierre Boulez-Saal, the Concertgebouw and many more.        

Trio con Brio is a recipient of the Carl Nielsen and Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen Award, one of Denmark’s most prestigious prizes. the trio is a fusion of two overlapping “musical pairs:” two sisters, violinist Soo-Jin Hong and cellist Soo-Kyung Hong are from South Korea, pianist Jens Elvekjaer, Soo-Kyung’s spouse, is from Denmark. Founded at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna in 1999, the trio is now based in Copenhagen, Trio con Brio Copenhagen is recognized for its exceptional musicianship, fresh approach to the core repertoire, adventurous programming and for the commitment to bring music to young people through their highly creative concerts.

The ensemble’s recordings have received continuous critical acclaim. The latest album of Shostakovich and Arensky Trios (Orchid Classics) was a Gramophone “Editor’s Choice” and was singled out by BBC Music Magazine as a “Chamber Choice” of the month. The disc also won the German Record Critics' Award (Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik), and was among other winning titles including the Berlin Philharmonic, Frank Peter Zimmermann, and Quatuor Ebène. Their album featuring the complete Beethoven piano trios (Orchid Classics) garnered broad and enthusiastic praise from critics and fans alike. The BBC Music Magazine calling it “a triumph.” The Trio has also recorded the work of leading Scandinavian Composers, such as Per Nørgård, Bent Sørensen and Sven-David Sandström, who have written works for the ensemble.

As visionary artistic directors who are known for their insatiable curiosity, inventive programming and engaging children’s concerts, Trio con Brio Copenhagen plays a vital role in the cultural life of Denmark. They have  collaborated with leading Danish actor Søren Sætter-Lassen on their new musical production of “The Little Prince” set to open at The Royal Danish Theatre. A tour is planned the following year. Trio con Brio Copenhagen serves as artistic directors of the annual festival, Chamber Music at Lundsgaard, and the Hellerup Chamber Music Society in Copenhagen.

Soo-Jin plays an Andrea Guarneri violin, Soo-Kyung plays a Grancino cello, and Jens is Denmark’s first Steinway Artist. Both string players are endorsed by Jargar Strings and Thomastik-Infeld Vienna.

Excerpts from the press

"Trio con Brio Copenhagen has throughout their career been hailed by press and audiences for their 'unique sound and unity of interpretation'"
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany

"From the first note, Trio con Brio exudes class ... both explosive and exquisitely intimate - aspects that this performance delivers with compelling panache."
The Strad

"Trio con brio de copenhague: formation d’élite… We can now see the Con Brio as the worthy successors of the legendary Beaux-Arts Trio. That says it all!"
DÍAPASON

"Radiant Russian memorials and unforgettable playing… I won’t forget this disc."
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

"This is a very impressive release, contrasting Arensky’s full-blown Romanticism with Shostakovich’s more troubled Soviet-era expression. From the start of Shostakovich’s Piano Trio no.1 we are allured by the players’ sheer tonal beauty, not only in the work’s melancholy lyricism but even in its clanging dissonances, which never seem ugly. There’s boundless joy and passion in Arensky’s Piano Trio, and technique to burn from the players beneath the surface. The slow Elegia movement is breathtakingly tender, with the muted violin and cello creating a magical effect"
The Strad - Edward Bhesania

"The lyric inspiration really flows, with the rich but never over-resonant acoustic of the Royal Danish Academy of Music Concert Hall giving space to each player’s special beauty of tone. While I’ve heard performances of Arensky’s work before which didn’t engrave it on the memory, the Copenhagen trio truly make it live. I won’t forget this disc.”
BBC Music Magazine

"Everything adds up to a completely thought-through and deeply felt interpretation… In every way, then, this is an outstanding achievement, and I only hope the disc gets the acclaim it deserves.”
Gramophone

"Here the combination of a Danish pianist and two Korean sisters fascinates again, in the Largo assai ed espressivo of op. 70/1, between whispered conversations and terrifying textures. Three different visions all in one timbre precision. Beethoven, One and Triune."
Scherzo - Pablo L. Rodríguez

Represented in the US, Canada and Mexico by Marianne Schmocker Artists International | @ 2022/2023
News
Trailer Aris Quartet: Deutsche Gramophone Stage + Digtital Release
From Felix Mendelssohn in F-minor
Stephen Mulligan
Conducted the Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio Symphonies
Trio Bohemo at Gent Festival 2023
Trio Bohemo performing Smetana
Accordi Podcast New Episode
Conversation with New Zealand Composer John Psathas' work "Real Bad Now" and Percussionist Fabian Ziegler
listen on all platforms
Tristan Rais Sherman conducts Phildelphia Orchestra
Tristan Rais Sherman rehearsal for “The Ride of the Valkyries,” by Wagner
Conductor Rais Sherman conducts Baltimore Symphony October 2023
Conductor Rais Sherman conducts works by Williams, Grieg, Liszt and Saint-Saens
Andreas Klein and Andreas Rentsch Collaboration
Cross disciplinary Recital Project between Andreas Klein (Pianist) and Andreas Rentsch (Award Winning Photographer)
Tours
No items found.
Contact
Phone: +1 631 470 0393
Email: [email protected]
News
Conductor Rais Sherman conducts Baltimore Symphony October 2023
Conductor Rais Sherman conducts works by Williams, Grieg, Liszt and Saint-Saens
Tristan Rais Sherman conducts Phildelphia Orchestra
Tristan Rais Sherman rehearsal for “The Ride of the Valkyries,” by Wagner
Accordi Podcast New Episode
Conversation with New Zealand Composer John Psathas' work "Real Bad Now" and Percussionist Fabian Ziegler
listen on all platforms
Trio Bohemo at Gent Festival 2023
Trio Bohemo performing Smetana
Stephen Mulligan
Conducted the Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio Symphonies
Trailer Aris Quartet: Deutsche Gramophone Stage + Digtital Release
From Felix Mendelssohn in F-minor
Andreas Klein and Andreas Rentsch Collaboration
Cross disciplinary Recital Project between Andreas Klein (Pianist) and Andreas Rentsch (Award Winning Photographer)
Tours
No items found.
Contact
Phone
+1 631 470 0393


Email

[email protected]
Mission Statement
Marianne Schmocker Artists is an established artist management, working from New York and Munich. We curate and consult a roster of sought-after internationally recognized artists, ensembles, and conductors. As a Boutique Management we are dedicated to providing individual attention to the professional development of our artists careers. Our approach is holistic in nature and brings balance and opportunity to fulfil every potential. We offer a profound commitment to nurture the longevity and sustainability of our relationships between artist, presenter and manager. Marianne (born in Switzerland) has worked in the industry for over 2 decades and brings a wealth of knowledge and engagement between artists and presenters.

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