Byron Quartett
Since its creation, the young instrumentalists of the Byron Quartett have performed with enthusiasm in order to share their passion for music. Native of different countries of Europe, the musiciansof the Byron Quartett have met around the Lemanic Basin thanks to the impetus of Gabor Takacs-Nagy. This is why they naturally wanted to pay tribute to Lord Byron, who was, by his acts and writings, the first great modern European
In June 2006 they obtained the String Quartett « Postgrade Diploma »in the class of Gabor Takacs-Nagy in the High Music School « Conservatoire »of Geneva. The Byron Quartett has also worked under the advice of Bruno Pasquer, of Vladimir Mendelssohn, and of theVermeer Quartett.
They followed the class of the Ysaÿe Quartett in the C.N.R. of Paris between 2006 and 2008. The Quartett continues its training within the Proquartet-CEMC program with Valentin Erben, Rainer Schmidt and Eberhard Feltz. The Byron Quartett benefits from the aid of Proquartet-CEMC, of the SACEM, and of the SPEDIDAM (company which manages the rights of the Performer-Artist, (musician, chorister or dancer) in matters of recording, broadcasting, and reusing of the recorded performances.
Prizewinner of the chamber music contest of the « Pour-cent culturel Migros » in 2009, the Byron Quartett wins the Audience Prize
Since March 2010 the Byron Quartet is supported by the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation
Since their origin, they have been engaged in important concert seasons (Guildhall Ensemble Festival of London, Promenades Musicales of Fontainebleau, Montbenon-Lausanne Concerts, Dimanches Musicaux of Thonon les Bains...). Moreover, the Byron Quartett is regulrly broadcasted on the radios Espace2 and DRS2.
They received from the critics ardent words of encouragement to continue on this way of quality.
In parallel with its engagements, the Byron Quartett has become actively involved in the development of the musical practice by organizing numerous quartett training courses.
Wendy Ghysels
First violin
Born in 1984 of Swiss and Belgian nationality, Wendy Ghysels starts the violin with Pr. Michel Poskin. Then she studies at the « Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique » in Geneva in the class of J.P.Wallez and obtains her Soloist Diploma with the best Violin Diploma. She continues her studies at The Royal Academy of Music in London with Erich Gruenberg and receives in 2007 a « Postgrade in Performance Diploma » with Phenomenal distinction, as well as the Special Award Diploma of Royal Academy of Music. She takes part to numerous masterclasses and benefits from the teaching of Zakhar Bron in particular. First Prize of the Dexia 2000 and Jong Tenuto contests, Wendy Ghysels is also the prizewinner of the Vocation Foundation and of the Leenaards Foundation.
She regularly appears in recitals in different European countries and as a soloist with the « Orchestre de la Suisse Romande », the « Contrechamps »orchestra, the Royal Opera Orchestra of Belgium, the EUYO, and the Bellerive Camerata conducted by Sir Colin Davis, Bernard Haitink, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Trevor Pinnock, Gabor Takacs. She is presently Violin Teacher at the « Conservatoire de Musique » in Geneva.
François James
Second violin
François James starts the violin in the class of Gérard Montmayeur (previous second violin of the Bernède Quartett) at the Music School of Macon. He obtains in 1999 and 2000 the Violin « Golden » and « Perfection » Medal unanimously and highly commended.
From 1997 to 2000, he had the opportunity to work with Yolande Leroy in the Tibor Varga Academy in Sion, and to benefit from Tibor Varga's advice.
In 2000, François James joins the Geneva « Conservatoire » in the class of Marie-Annick Nicolas and receives in 2004 the Concert Diploma with First Class Honours and the Pierre Fernex Special Prize. In the followiwng year, he obtains his Soloist Diploma with Second Class Honours.
In 2005 he performs the Concerto in G major by Mozart live on the« Espace2 » radio conducted by Barthold Kujken.
François James has also worked under the advice of Victor Pikaisen, Vadim Guzman and Jean Ter Merguerian.
He appears as a soloist and chamber music player in France, Belgium, Switzerland, in the United States as well as in China.
He is a member of the Chamber Music Orchestra of Geneva and a teacher at the Music School of Thonon les Bains.
Robin Lemmel
Viola
Robin Lemmel starts his musical studies in Thonon les Bains with Enrique Danowicz, then continues his training at the « Conservatoire National de Région » of Rueil-Malmaison in the class of Françoise Gnéri, Soloist Viola in the Opera of Paris.
He obtains a Viola First Prize unanimously in June 2000. Robin Lemmel benefits in particular from the advice of the Artis and Chilingirian Quartetts and improves his training in the practice of the String Quartett with the members of the Amati and Talich Quartetts.
In 2003 Robin Lemmel joins the Lausanne Camerata conducted by Pierre Amoyal, with whom he gives concerts all around the world. In parallel with his activities in different chamber music orchestras, he obtains in June 2005 his Concert Diploma at the HEM« Conservatoire » of Lausanne in the class of Bruno Pasquier. He then improves his training with Vladimir Mendelssohn at the Royal « Conservatoire » in La Haye.
Viola at the Geneva Chamber Music Orchestra since 2007, Robin Lemmel is also a Violin and Viola Teacher at the Aiglon International College of Villars.
Martin Reetz
Cello
Born in Marburg in Germany, Martin Reetz receives several prizes of « Jugend Musiziert » of Germany. In 2002 he obtains the « Künstlerische Diplom » at the « Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar » with the highest class Honours.
Martin Reetz continues his studies at the « Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique » of Geneva in the class of François Guye. He receives his Soloist Diploma in 2005 together with the Henri Stern and Denis de Marignac prizes. Between 2006 and 2008, Martin Reetz improves his training with Truls Mork at the Oslo High Music School.
Thanks to the impetus of Norbert Brainin in Weimar, Martin Reetz has a passion for chamber music and appears in numerous festivals and concerts in Europe. He was a member of the « GMJO ». Martin Reetz also performs with the « Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, the Chamber Music Orchestra of Geneva, and the Lausanne Camerata conducted by Pierre Amoyal.
Appointed Soloist Cello of the « National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland » in April 2008, Martin Reetz presently teaches the cello at the High School of Music of Geneva. He often appears as a soloist with the « Internationale Junge Orchesterakademie », the Symphonic Orchestra of Mulheim, the Philarmonic Orchestra of Jena, The Budweis Orchestra, the Geneva Sinfonietta.
He plays a Cello by Giovanni Grancino 1700 generously loaned by the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation
