Staff A-Z

Critically acclaimed as an edgy and dynamic interpreter, the pianist Helen Yorke performed with Renée Fleming throughout America and Europe for over a decade. Helen trained as a soloist at the RNCM, and then specialised in ensemble playing on scholarships at the RAM and thereafter in Germany, at the Frankfurt and Cologne conservatoires, with Hartmut Hoell, Rainer Hoffmann, and the late Leonard Hokanson. She then lived and worked in New York for a decade, teaching at the Juilliard School, Westminster Choir College in Princeton, and at the Manhattan School of Music.

Alistair Young was born in London and studied with Geoffrey Parsons and Erich Vietheer. Since 1987 he has played with major symphony and chamber orchestras including; the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, English Chamber Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (where he has recorded with Sir Simon Rattle).

Alistair Young was born in London and studied with Geoffrey Parsons and Erich Vietheer. Since 1987 he has played with major symphony and chamber orchestras including; the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, English Chamber Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (where he has recorded with Sir Simon Rattle). He has toured the USA, South Africa and throughout Europe, performing at many prestigious venues and festivals including Salzburg and the Proms. He has made many film and commercial recordings including Lesley Garrett’s TV show. He is featured regularly on ‘Friday Night is Music Night’ for BBC Radio 2, where he can be heard as soloist and accompanist. He is involved with various vocal groups such as the award-winning Joyful Company of Singers. He has worked closely with many international artists, including; the late Leonard Bernstein, Jose Carreras, Nicolai Gedda, Christa Ludwig, and more recently, Jane Eaglen and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Alistair has also worked with Diana Montague, with whom he has recorded Bach and Handel arias for Chandos.

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.