FLUTE

James Strauss, hailed as the "Lang Lang of the Flute" by the Arizona Daily Star, is a Brazilian flutist who has achieved remarkable success in the world of classical music. Recognized as one of the finest flute players globally, he possesses an extraordinary sense of musicianship, flawless intonation, and an unparalleled tone quality.

Under the mentorship of Maestro Jeffrey Dokken of the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia, Strauss's artistry has been described as a true mastery of his craft. Jean Pierre Rampal, acknowledging him as "an authentic Latin representative of the French School of Flute," further praised his exceptional talent.

A trailblazer in classical music, James Strauss became the first Brazilian flutist to receive a Diplomme de Concertiste from the École Normale de Musique de Paris, studying under renowned figures like Jean-Pierre Rampal, Pierre-Yves Artaud, and Alain Marion and lately with Sir James Galway. He was awarded scholarships by the French government for the Conservatoire de Paris and the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot de Paris.

Strauss's accolades include numerous international competition victories, such as the UFAM Concours International de Musique de Chamber and the UFAM Concours International de Flute in France, as well as recognition in Brazil and Ecuador.

A passionate advocate for new music, James Strauss has premiered works by esteemed composers like Philip Glass, Alexander Arutiunian, Jean Françaix and many others. His repertoire spans from baroque to contemporary, showcasing his versatility in solo, chamber, and concerto performances.

As a sought-after soloist, Strauss has collaborated with orchestras worldwide, including the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris, Tokyo Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Europa Chamber Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, and many others. His teaching contributions extend to master classes and recitals at esteemed institutions globally.

An active recording artist for Universal Music Group, James Strauss has released over 30 CDs, featuring collaborations with prominent artists and orchestras. Currently based in Vienna, Austria, he continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his emotional and technically superb performances.

FLUTE - PICCOLO

Raphael Leone the former flutist and piccolist of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

He achieved his basic music education as a music teacher in Basel (Switzerland) under Joseph Bopp. He continued his postgraduate studies amongst others under Jean-Pierre Rampal, Torkil Bye and Gottfried Hechtl. As an Orchestral player he started his career in the Orchestra Radio Basel, his path led him to the Oslo Philharmonics and Symphony Orchestra Durban (South Africa), and in 1972 to the Vienna Symphony. It was followed by intensive chamber music activities in Europe, Asia and the USA. 1988 he was teaching at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and since 1989 at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. In 1991 he founded the “Österreichische Flötengesellschaft”, where he is still the chairman.

In numerous workshops, especially for Piccolo, he wants to inspire flutists for the tiniest instrument, to provide literature for Piccolo and to enable approach for inexperienced players too. (The last master classes were in Buenos Aires, Manila, Bangkok, Tokyo and Seoul, in Italy at the Conservatorio di Pesaro (3 times), Trieste, Senigaglia, Bolzano and Latina (Rome). 

CLARINET

"Extremely gifted and accomplished as a clarinetist, he's a natural chamber musician, communicative, expressive, instinctive and always thoroughly prepared"
Mathew Jones (acting head of chamber music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama London)

"He's a diligent and sensitive musician"
Julian Farrell (Former principal clarinet at Academy of Saint Martin in The Fields London)

Former clarinet and chamber music teacher at the Barenboim-Said Foundation, Simón Ibáñez is currently clarinet Professor at Wiener Musikakademie.
He has performed in halls such as Barbican Hall , Royal Festival Hall , “Palau de la Música Cata-lana ”, “Gran Teatre del Liceu “, “Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia” “Altes Rathaus”…, with conduc-tors like Sir Colin Davies ,Vladimir Azkenazhy, Diego Mason, Valery Gerguiev or Adrian Leaper.
Mr. Ibañez has been featured as a soloist with orchestras like Budweis Philharmonic or Guatema-la National Youth Orchestra. He has obtained good critics in England and Switzerland, he was first prize in the Ivan Sutton Competition in London.
He usually play recitals with piano and chamber music in places like London, Liverpool, Viena, Venice, Barcelona, Gothenburg or Brussels. Soon he will appear as soloist with The Tallinn Inter-national Youth Orchestra and made his presentation tour in Costa Rica with recitals and master-classes.
Simón studied at “Conservatorio Superior de Música del Liceo (Barcelona) and completed his BMus(Hons) qualification with Professor Isaac Rodriguez. Later he was accepted at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama of London to study the “Artist-Masters Orchestral Training” with the London Symphony Players and Professor Julian Farrel.
He has taken part in masterclasses with Andrew Marriner, Michel Lethiec, François Benda, Ro-man Guyot, Mark Nuccio, Calogero Palermo, Valdemar Rodriguez, Ronald Spaendock or Harry Mäki.
Simón is also Artistic Director at the “La Vilavella International Masterclass” with resident musi-cians like David Rejano (Los Angeles Philharmonic), Liina Leijala (Barenboim-Said Foundation and Wiener Musikakademie) or Julio Lopez ( Münchener Philharmoniker).

HORN

Member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, since 1993
Membership in the Association of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, since 1996

Wolfgang Vladar studied horn with Josef Veleba, Friedrich Gabler and Roland Berger. His first engagement was in 1983 as first horn at the Vienna Volksoper. In 1993, he became horn player at the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a member of the Vienna Virtuosi. Since 1992 he has taught horn at the IES (Institute of European Studies), MDW and in various master classes in Austria and abroad. Since 2015, Professor at the Wiener Musikakademie.

CLARINET

Manuel Gangl wurde 1989 in Graz geboren. Bereits im Alter von 5 Jahren erhielt er seine erste Musikalische Ausbildung an der Musik- und Kunstschule Gratkorn. Während dieser Zeit erste Preise bei Bezirks-, Landes- und Bundeswettbewerben. Gangl studiert seit 2007 bei Prof. Gerald Pachinger an der Kunstuniversität Graz und schloss 2011 seinen Bachelor in IGP und Konzertfach mit Auszeichnung ab. Im Laufe seines Studiums folgten verschiedene Preise und Auszeichnungen. Gangl ist unter anderem 1.Preisträger beim Anton Bruckner – Förderungspreis 2008 der Wiener Symphoniker, 2.Preisträger beim Internationalen Solistenwettbewerb „Intermusica“ 2008 in Birkfeld, Stipendiat der Yehudi Menuhin Stiftung 2009, Preisträger bei „Musica Juventutis“ 2010 in Wien, 1. Preisträger beim Solistenwettbewerb „Das Festival“ 2010 in Voitsberg, und Dr. Karl Böhm Stipendiat 2012 der Stadt Graz. Meisterkurse führten Ihn zu internationalen Solisten wie Karl Leister, Wenzel Fuchs, Sabine Meyer und Reiner Wehle. Orchestererfahrung sammelte er im In- und Ausland mit den dem Orchester der Tiroler Festspiele, Vienna Classical Players, Wiener Concert Verein u.a.. Rege Kammermusiktätigkeit mit dem Klarinettenensemble „Quintetto GRAZioso“ und dem „Bläserquintett der Wiener Symphoniker“. Einladungen führten Ihn zum „Mid Europe Festival“ und dem „Steirischen Kammermusikfestival“. ORF - Produktionen für „Intrada“ und „Licht ins Dunkel“. Seit 2011 ist Manuel Gangl 2. Klarinettist bei den Wiener Symphonikern. 

CLARINET

Martin Rainer is a member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. He was born in 1987 in the Tyrolean Außerfern. Studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg / Expositur Innsbruck under PD Mag. Maximilian Bauer and at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna under Mag. Alexander Neubauer, Univ. Prof. Peter Schmidl and Prof. Johann Hindler.

Concert activities with numerous groups and orchestras, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Innsbruck Tyrolean Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Concertverein. Member of the clarinet ensemble "Clarisonus", first prize at the clarinet chamber music competition "clariArts". "Musica Juventutis" - promotion of musical young artists, CD production "clarisonus No.1" Participation in various festivals and courses, among other things, "Purple European Sound Interchange Workshop 2011" artistically directed in Ossiach by Ensemble Berlin (Berliner Philharmoniker). Masterclass with Prof. Luigi Magistrelli (Conservatory of Milano) and Sharon Kam. Compositional activities, mainly in the field of wind music.

BASSOON

Bianca Schuster is the solo-bassoon of the Vienna Volksoper. Born on 28.12.1973 in Vorarlberg. From 1979-83 attending elementary school Mittelberg, 1983 Gertrud von le Fort school of Oberstdorf and 1987-92 Musikgymnasium Feldkirch, matriculation examination on June 22, 1992 From 1981-84 private lessons in guitar, violin and from 1984-86 1983 Piano.

Bassoon training in 1987 with Professor Allen Smith on Vorarlberg Conservatory and 1993-1999 concert bassoon with Prof. Milan Turkovic at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. From September 2001 to June 2002 Studied with Prof. Michael Werba at the Vienna Conservatory.

Participation in various host classes given by Prof. Karl Öhlberger, Daniele Damiano, Richard Galler and William Waterhouse.

1989 and 1991 first prize with distinction and special prize at the betting competition "Young Musicians". From 2001 Solofagottistin at the Stadttheater Klagenfurt (2007 premiere of her devoted bassoon concerto by Guido Mancusi). Since 2008 Head of the bassoon class at the Conservatory of Klagenfurt. .

In addition, first bassoonist of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Vienna Chamber Philharmonic, the orchestra "Spirit of Europe", the Vienna Chamber Opera, the Vorarlberg State Symphony Orchestra, substitutes-activity with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and at the Lower Austrian sound artists. Concerts with renowned conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Bernard Haitink, Seiji Osawa and Franz Welser-Möst. Continuous participation in the Forum and sound in the ensemble "The Series". 1996-1998 Substitutenvertrag in the Bruckner Orchestra Linz as 1/2. Bassoonist. 

TRUMPET

Christian Löw was born in 1978 in Mistelbach (NÖ) in Austria. Trumpet performance studies at the Vienna Conservatory and at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg (with Prof. Richard Schwameis and Univ.Prof. Karl Steininger). In his last year of study in 2003 engagement as a trumpet soloist to the Dortmund Philharmonics, since 2007 trumpeter in the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra.
More involvement with major orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Volksoper Orchestra, Düsseldorf Symphonic Orchestra, the Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra etc.
In 2000 Christian Löw was a member of the Olympic band at the opening of the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Teaching at numerous master classes in Austria and abroad, as well as visiting professor at the Privatuniversität Konservatorium Wien.