Ensemble Wien

A string quartet with a double bass instead of a cello? That is a combination which is both interesting from a musical point of view and "original" as, for instance, in Mozart's divertimenti or Haydn's early string quartets.

This constellation also allows the Ensemble Wien to fulfill its philosophy of incorporating lesser-known works by Franz Schubert, Joseph Lanner and the Strauss Dynasty into its otherwise classical programming. Accordingly, its repertoire extends beyond original compositions, including works arranged exclusively for the Ensemble Wien. The ensemble's outstanding interpretation of the seemingly simple, entertaining waltzes, polkas, German dances, country dances and minuets, clearly ranks these compositions among classical masterpieces.

By following these programming guidelines, the Ensemble Wien has been very successful, holding a very popular subscription concert series for the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde at the Musikverein in Vienna since 1988/89. The quartet regularly takes part in important festivals, such as the Salzburg Festival, the "Viennese Festwochen" and "Fruehlingsfestival," the "Schubertiade" in Feldkirch , Berlin 's "Festwochen," or the Ravenna Festival, and gives concerts in other major music centers throughout Europe including Amsterdam, Athens, Cologne, Munich, and Paris. They have performed in Japan and throughout the United States, including New York's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and in Canada in Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver. Performances with artists such as T.Barto, J.Carreras, P. Domingo, B. Frittoli, A. Kirchschlager, G. Maisenberg, J. Vakarelis and S. Vladar round off the activities of the Ensemble.

Three ensemble members also play for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. A television appearance in the interval film of the 1999 "New Year's Concert" of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was broadcast worldwide. Radio appearances on Austrian State Radio (ORF), including three concerts transmitted throughout Europe by the European Broadcasting Union, have helped consolidate the reputation of the Ensemble Wien at home, throughout Europe and overseas. Last but not least, numerous CD-recordings testify to the multifaceted music of this unusual chamber music formation.

THE ARTISTS

Reiner Honeck (violin) was born in 1961 in Nenzing, Vorarlberg (Austria ) and began to play the violin at the age of seven. In 1969 he moved to Vienna and studied under Edith Bertschinger at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and later on, privately with Prof. Alfred Staar. In 1978 he was awarded a scholarship from the Dr. Karl Boehm Foundation by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1981 Mr. Honeck joined the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera as a first violinist, becoming a Concertmaster in 1984.

In 1992 he was appointed Concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra as well. He is also an internationally renowned chamber musician (leader of the Wiener Streichersolisten) as documented in numerous CD's, TV and radio recordings. As a soloist, he has recorded the complete Schubert works for violin and piano and the Dvorak and Mendelssohn Violin Concertos with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. He also gave his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic under Mariss Jansons in the Dvorak Violin Concerto. Honeck plays a violin from A. Stradivarius (anno 1714) on loan from the Austrian National Bank.

Raimund Lissy (Violin) comes from Vienna. He studied under Thomas Kakuska at the University of Music and Performing Arts and also under Alfred Staar. After a short working period with the Orchestra of the Arena di Verona, he joined the Vienna State Opera Orchestra in 1988. In 1991 he became a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been leader of the second violins since 1993.

Peter Goetzel (Viola) was born in Vienna. He was a member of the Vienna Boys Choir and later studied violin and viola at the Academy of Music in Vienna with Edith Steinbauer. Since 1964 he has been a first violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Following a lifelong interest in chamber music, he was a member of the Vienna String Trio and the Philharmonia Quartett. He also served as a violinist with the Kuechl-Quartett from 1973 to 1987 before founding the Ensemble Wien.

Josef Niederhammer (Double Bass) was born in Linz and studied at the Academy of Music in Vienna with Ludwig Streicher. Even before receiving his diploma exam with distinction, he was a member of the Vienna Volksoper and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. In 1977 he became deputy solo bass of the Bamberger Symphony Orchestra, and in 1978 solo bass of the Bavarian State Orchestra. From 1986 to 1991 he was solo bass of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 1991 he is Professor for double bass at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna .