Staff A-Z

Szabolcs Zempléni, born in 1981, was awarded the 1st Prize and the Special Prize at the Concertino Praga competition at the early age of 17. This success was followed by 1st place at the International Horn Competition in Békés and 2nd place at the International Horn Competition in Markneukirchen in 2000, and 1st place at the International Horn Competition in Brno in 2001. Szabolcs was awarded the 1st Prize at the ARD International Music Competition Munich in 2005.

Jiří began to play the violin at the age of five, despite his family having no background in music. Studying at the conservatoire in his home town of Ostrava he developed a love of chamber music, playing piano trios and enjoying success in many competitions in the former Czechoslovakia.When he was conscripted as a national serviceman into the Czech army, the viola became his first instrument in order to be accepted into the army music service. One year later he joined his current colleagues in the Wihan Quartet. Jiří’s main mentor is the famous viola player and teacher Hatto Beyerle (founding member of the Alban Berg Quartet). Jiří’ has performed with many eminent musicians throughout his career, including Boris Pergamenschikow, Gidon Kremer, Raphael Wallfisch, Maurice Bourgue, Milos Sadlo and Josef Suk. He regularly performs as a concerto soloist and also with various chamber ensembles all over the world. He has recorded several CDs with the ensemble of Radek Baborak (principal horn, Berlin Philharmonic). Jiří has also recorded the Dvořák’s Viola Quintet Op.97 with the Talich Quartet and Schubert‘s Trout Quintet with the Antonín Dvořák Trio. Jiří is an inspiring teacher and chamber music coach and is a faculty member at the International Music Academy, Pilsen.