Veles Ensemble: A New Chapter Begins

As the seasons shift, so too does the life of an ensemble. We’re writing today with both gratitude and excitement to share a change in our trio’s lineup.

After many years of beautiful collaboration, Hartmut Richter will be moving to Canada to begin a new chapter in his life and career. His artistry, dedication, and musical sensitivity have shaped the sound and spirit of Veles Ensemble in profound ways. We are deeply thankful for the journey we’ve shared with him—from intimate recitals to ambitious recordings—and we wish him all the very best in this new adventure. Hartmut will remain our honorary member, and his legacy within the ensemble will always be cherished.

Stepping into the role of violinist is Adriana Cristea, whose expressive playing and thoughtful musicianship bring a fresh energy to our ensemble. Adriana has already joined us in rehearsal and performance, and we’re thrilled by the musical conversations unfolding between us. Her approach is both intuitive and refined, and we look forward to exploring new repertoire and continuing our artistic growth together.

Transitions like these are never simple, but they are part of the living nature of chamber music. We remain committed to the values that define Veles Ensemble: depth, dialogue, and a shared love of the classical tradition.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming concerts, where Adriana will make her debut as our new violinist.

Boccherini and Charlo

We recorded Luigi Boccherini’s String Trio Op. 14 No. 4 and Evva’s arrangement of a fiery tango: Charlo’s El viejo vals.

Luigi Boccherini – Trio Op. 14 No. 4 in D Major, G. 98, composed in 1772.

Boccherini, born in Italy and an acclaimed cellist, had just entered the employment of Infante Luis Antonio of Spain in Madrid in 1770 (the younger brother of King Charles III of Spain). The newfound freedoms of this patronage seem to be reflected in the music, which is full of joy, elegance and colourful ideas.

Charlo (Carlos José Pérez) – “El viejo vals”

arranged for string trio by Evva Mizerska

ORF Radio Austria – Wellesz CD presentation

We’re exicted for our new Egon Wellesz chamber music CD to be presented on Austrian radio ORF. You can listen to it here:

Österreichischer Expressionismus im Exil | DI | 20 06 2023 | 11:30 – oe1.ORF.at

Oxford University Concert/Masterclass

We are proud to perform in honour of Prof. Bojan Bujic’s birthday next Monday, February 27th at the University of Oxford. Prof. Bujic was a student of Egon Wellesz, whose late chamber music works we recorded recently on #ToccataClassics, hence Egon Wellesz’ music will be part of the programme!

In the afternoon, we will hold a chamber music masterclass at the Faculty of Music @Oxford University:

Masterclass with the Veles Ensemble | Faculty of Music (ox.ac.uk)

Scotland Tour February 2023

We had a fantastic time touring the Scottish Highlands last week. Playing Mozart’s Divertimento KV563, Leo Weiner’s string trio in G minor, Op. 6, Harti’s trio arrangement of Grażyna Bacewicz’s Oberek and other little gems.

Thanks to the wonderful audiences and lovely hosts!

Egon Wellesz CD review in the Guardian

Our new CD with chamber music by Egon Wellesz was one of the two “this week’s picks” at the Guardian last week. We’re chuffed. 

Transfigurations: Schoenberg – Berg review: Het Collectief show that less can be more | Classical music | The Guardian

Egon Wellesz – Chamber Music

Our new CD recording “Egon Wellesz – Chamber Music” is out on Toccata Classics. https://toccataclassics.com/…/egon-wellesz-chamber-music/

“In its mix of tonality, Expressionism and Schoenbergian serialism, the late chamber music of Egon Wellesz (1885–1974) – born in Vienna but an Oxford don for almost four decades – marries the mid-century radicalism of his native city with the lyricism of his adoptive homeland. In the first part of his career Wellesz was best known as a composer of operas, and these chamber works were audibly written by someone with a keen sense of drama: in their primal passion, flawless pacing, arching melodic lines and occasional bursts of humour, one can almost imagine them on stage.”@ToccataClassics

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0Wmz5zz2fUfiAj0wdJVqFi…