Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Orchestral

 

Viotta Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2014 by a group of musicians who were members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The ensemble is named after the Dutch composer and conductor, Henri Viotta, who was the first conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra. The Viotta Ensemble is made up of some of the most talented musicians in the Netherlands, and they have quickly become one of the most sought-after ensembles in the country. The founding members of the Viotta Ensemble are violinists Maria Milstein and Mathieu van Bellen, violist Georgy Kovalev, cellist Honorine Schaeffer, and pianist Hannes Minnaar. All of these musicians have impressive resumes and have won numerous awards and competitions. Maria Milstein, for example, won the Dutch Music Prize in 2018, which is the highest honor that can be awarded to a musician in the Netherlands. Mathieu van Bellen won the Dutch Classical Talent Award in 2014, and Hannes Minnaar won the Dutch Classical Talent Award in 2010. The Viotta Ensemble has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the Netherlands, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, and the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ in Amsterdam. They have also performed at festivals such as the Grachtenfestival in Amsterdam and the Delft Chamber Music Festival. In addition to their performances in the Netherlands, the Viotta Ensemble has also performed in other countries, including Germany, Belgium, and France. One of the highlights of the Viotta Ensemble's career was their performance at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in 2016. They performed a program of works by Mozart, Schumann, and Brahms, and the concert was met with critical acclaim. The ensemble's performance of Schumann's Piano Quintet in E-flat major was particularly praised for its "exquisite balance and sensitivity." Another highlight of the Viotta Ensemble's career was their performance at the Delft Chamber Music Festival in 2018. They performed a program of works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Dvořák, and the concert was once again met with critical acclaim. The ensemble's performance of Beethoven's String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131 was particularly praised for its "intensity and emotional depth." The Viotta Ensemble has also won several awards and competitions. In 2015, they won the Kersjesprijs, which is a prestigious Dutch music prize that is awarded to young musicians who show exceptional talent and promise. The prize comes with a cash award of €50,000, which the ensemble used to fund their debut album, which was released in 2017. The Viotta Ensemble's debut album, which was titled "Viotta Ensemble plays Schumann," was released on the Challenge Classics label. The album featured the ensemble's performance of Schumann's Piano Quintet in E-flat major, as well as his String Quartet No. 3 in A major. The album was met with critical acclaim and was praised for its "passionate and nuanced performances." In addition to their performances and recordings, the Viotta Ensemble is also committed to education and outreach. They regularly give masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and they have also performed for schoolchildren in the Netherlands. The ensemble believes that classical music should be accessible to everyone, and they are dedicated to sharing their love of music with as many people as possible.

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