László Barki

László Barki was born 1958 in Vienna, he descends from a Hungarian musicians ́ family. From the age of 6, he was taught by his father and between 1968 and 1972 sang with the Vienna Boys Choir. In 1970 and 1972 he was a prize winner at the Jugend Musiziert ­ Competitions.

1974­ - 1978 he studied violin and viola at the Music Academy/University of Vienna with Prof. Sivo and Prof. Führlinger. His life as a professional musician started already at the age of 16, when he received his first contracts with the legendary Waltz Orchestra at the Stadtpark and the renowned Operetta Orchestras of Baden and Bad Ischl. He also was active in several other ensembles, mostly in leading positions.

In 1977 the famous violinist Albert Kocsis invited Laszlo Barki to perform with the Cologne Chamber Solioists Orchestra and introduced him to Prof. Max Rostal. The great master accepted Laszlo Barki as his student.

Between 1977 and 1981 Laszlo Barki continued his violin and chamber music studies with Prof. Rostal, Prof. Volmer and Prof. Ozim in Cologne, furthermore he studied psychology and philosophy at the University of Dortmund. He also was a member of the Cologne Chamber Soloists and was employed as a violin teacher. During his studies Laszlo Barki regularly attended master courses with the professors Max Rostal, Igor Ozim, Norbert Brainin, Wolfgang Schneiderhan and Gerhart Hetzel.

At a recital in 1981, the renowned former president of the Vienna Philharmonic, Prof. Otto Strasser, heard him play and promised to recommend him to that famous orchestra. Soon later, a dream became true, when the Vienna State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra invited him for an audition! 

Between 1981 and 2005 Laszlo Barki held a position as second violinist of the Vienna State Opera / Philharmonic Orchestra. For many years he also had the honor to play in the first violin section of the Hofmusikkapelle / Court Chapel, which consists only of members of the Vienna Philharmonic and is the oldest professional orchestra of the world. He also has been employed as a professor for violin and chamber music at the Vienna City ­ Conservatory.

In 1981 Laszlo Barki left Vienna to become a professor of the Nippori Academy of Music in Tokyo. He also made a name as chamber musician and often had the pleasure to join some prominent asian orchestras. Besides he has studied Cultural Management. 

Since 2009 László Barki lives mainly in Vienna again. In addition to his active chamber music career with several renowned Viennese ensembles, he also gives master classes throughout the world and with his „Vienna Music Management“ works as impresario.

Wolfgang Augustin

Dr. Wolfgang Augustin was born in Vienna. He received his first violin lessons at the age of 8 years from Professor Ulla Schulz at the Vienna City Musicschool. From the age of 16 years he studied at the Vienna University of Music with Prof. Sivo, Prof. Randacher and Prof. Schagerl.

In 1989 he obtained his teaching qualification and in 1996 received his concert-diploma with honors. 2000 he was awarded the title of "Magister Artium".  In 2001 he was awarded the „Order for outstanding achievements in studies“ from the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture. In 2004 Dr. Wolfgang Augustin received his title "Doctor of Musicology" with honours.

In addition to his permanent teaching position, Wolfgang Augustin performs as a violinist in numerous prestigious chamber music ensembles and regularly is invited to play with the renowned Viennese orchestras, as Radio Symphony Orchestra, Volkopernorchester, Tonkünstler Orchestra. Since 2004 he is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kremser Chamber Orchestra.

Alfred Melichar

Prof. Alfred Melichar was born 1957 in Vienna. From his childhood he played the accordion and the special Viennese Button-Harmonica. He studied at the Music Universities of Vienna and Warsaw with Prof. Lech Puchnowski and received his diplomas with honors.

Alfred Melichar is professor of accordion at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz and teaches at different prestigious international Master Courses and seminars.

Alfred Melichar regularly performs as soloist with renowned orchestras, like the Vienna State Opera, RSO Vienna, Bruckner Orchestra - Linz and the Ensemble Wiener Collage.

As Accordion- and Bandoneón soloist he has appeared with many famous orchestras: The Vienna State Opera, RSO - Vienna, Mozarteum Salzburg, Munich Radio Orchestra and RSO Ljubljana.

He also is regularly active at prestigious international festivals such as Carinthischer Sommer, Vogtländer Musiktage and Musica Nova – Brasil.

In cooperation with Pierre Bouléz and other renowned contemporary composers, he participated in the creation of many new works for accordion and chamber music, which were broadcasted international and are recorded on many CDs.

Kurt Hirschfeld

Kurt Hirschfeld was born in Vienna. He began to learn piano in his early childhood. His father Prof. Peter Hirschfeld is a great master of the Viennese Contraguitar and renowned folk music – artist, thus from his childhood also Kurt developed a passion for the Old-Viennese tunes.

At the age of nine, he began to learn the clarinet and in 1994 became a student of Prof. Peter Schmidl at the Vienna Music University. In 1998 he was rewarded the 1st prize at the Vienna Chamber Music Competition. 1996 - 1998 Kurt Hirschfeld studied also singing at the Vienna Music University with Prof. Bruneder.

For many years he has been a member of the famous Wiener Singverein – Choir.

Kurt Hirschfeld made a name as a specialists to play the genuine Viennese G-clarinet on highest artistic level. He is a member of the Original Wiener DonauSchrammeln, Malat Schrammeln and Ensemble Alt-Wien. Furthermore he plays with some other renowned ensembles. He often appeares in several Austrian and international TV stations. Kurt Hirschfeld recorded numerous CDs.

His aim is to preserve the culture of playing that special and rarely played instrument. That is why he regularly gives master classes and often is invited to teach the peculiar G-Clarinet at international Mastercourses and seminars.  

Peter Heiling

Peter Heiling was born in the Styrian city of Rottenmann. His family loved to make music and thus his deep musical roots are based on the especially rich music culture of his homeland.

Since his childhood he learned to play the piano and while his economical studies in Vienna developed a passion to learn the Old-Viennese tunes on the special Contraguitar. For many years Peter Heiling took lessons from famous Prof. Peter Hirschfeld and himself became an acclaimed master of the Contraguitar.

Besides beeing a member of the Original Viennese DonauSchrammeln, he plays in the so called „Viennese Packl“ - Duo formation with the renowned "Lady of the Accordion" Ingrid Eder. Peter Heiling made a name as a specialist of the Old-Viennese Contraguitar and is often invited by other ensembles of the folk music – scene. In his civilian profession he holds a leading position in Financial Business.