The Veles Ensemble
We have some big news to share. Our amazing violinist, Hartmut Richter, is moving to Canada for new adventures. Hartmut has been with us since the very beginning, co-founding the Veles Ensemble alongside Evva Mizerska. His incredible talent and dedication have been instrumental in shaping our journey, and together, we recorded two wonderful CDs.
While we’ll miss him very much, we would like to say that he’ll stay on as an honorary member and we hope to work with him on future projects. His departure is indeed a big loss for us, but we are grateful for all the beautiful music and memories we’ve created together.
On a bright note, we’re very excited to welcome Adriana Cristea as our new violinist.
Adriana is an exceptionally talented musician with a rich musical background. She has won numerous prizes at national and international competitions, and performed as a soloist and with various orchestras across Europe and beyond, in many prestigious venues and festivals, such as the George Enescu Festival and the International Holland Music Sessions amongst the others. Her extensive training and experience, combined with her passion and expressive playing, make her a fantastic addition to the Veles Ensemble.
Join us in thanking Hartmut for everything and in giving Adriana a warm welcome to the Veles Ensemble family.
New videos coming soon.
- Evva Mizerska | cello
- Ralitsa Naydenova | viola
- Adriana Cristea | violin
” The performances are marvellous. “
Gramophone, April 2019
Toccata Classics CD review
” Wellesz’s chamber music, idiomatically played by the Veles Ensemble,(…) “
Guardian, February 2023
Egon Wellesz – Chamber Music CD review |one of two CD “picks of the week”
The Veles Ensemble is a classical string trio based in London, UK, exploring rarely heard masterpieces as well as bringing the classics to life and onto the concert stage.
A special focus of the ensemble is promoting new compositions and contemporary music: the ensemble’s newest CD with chamber music by 20th century composer and Schoenberg student Egon Wellesz was released on the Toccata Classics label in early 2023. The CD was selected as one of the Guardian’s Picks of the Week and earned a four-star review from BBC Music Magazine, commending the Veles Ensemble for their ‘exceptional sensitivity’. It was also featured on Austrian Radio ORF, where the ensemble’s ‘sensitivity and virtuosity’ were highly praised.
Their debut CD with chamber music by British composer Steve Elcock was released on Toccata Classics in December 2018 and was acclaimed for the ensemble’s ‘marvelous performances’ by the Gramophone magazine.
Individually, Evva and Hartmut have been featured on a NAXOS CD with works by late Stephen Dodgson.
Recent performances have taken the Veles Ensemble to festivals and concerts around the UK and Europe, including France, Slovakia and Scotland, and the ensemble has performed live on BBC Radio3’s In Tune.
Our new recording was just released on Toccata Classics:
A CD of chamber music by Austrian/British composer and Schoenberg student Egon Wellesz. This project was kindly supported by the Egon-Wellesz-Fonds, the University of Oxford – Magdalen College, and our generous crowdfunding supporters.
More info here: Egon Wellesz – Chamber Music | Veles Ensemble
History of the ensemble
The Veles Ensemble was founded in 2016 by three young successful classical musicians – soloists, recitalists and performers in leading London chamber orchestras: Evva Mizerska – cello, Ralitsa Naydenova – viola and Hartmut Richter – violin. The Veles Ensemble occasionally expands to play as a piano quartet and other more rare line-ups.
For more information on Evva, Ralitsa and Hartmut please see the Biography page.