Byron Quartett
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Native of different countries of Europe, the four musicians of the Byron Quartet have met around the Lemanic Basin, thanks to the impetus of Gàbor Takàcs-Nagy. This is why they naturally have wanted to pay tribute to Lord Byron, who was, by his acts and writings, the first great modern European.
The Byron Quartet have started their training at the “Haute Ecole de Musique” in Geneva, in the class of Gàbor Takàcs-Nagy. They obtained there the String Quartet Master Diploma in 2010. In parallel, the Byron Quartet studied in the class of the Ysaÿe Quartet in the “Conservatoire National de Région” of Paris from 2006 to 2008. They also continue their training within the “Proquartet-CEMC” European program. They have had the opportunity to take part to the master classes of members of the Berg, Hagen, Cleveland and Belcea Quartets, as well as the master classes of Eberhard Felz and György Kurtàg.
For several years, the Byron Quartet have been engaged in numerous concerts: Guildhall Ensemble Festival of London, “Promenades Musicales de Fontainebleau”, Festival of Bellerive, “Schubertiades”, “Salle Paderewski” in Lausanne, Tonhalle in Zürich, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam … They can regularly be heard on the French-speaking Swiss radio Espace 2, and the German-speaking Swiss radio DSR 2.
In para llel with their activity as performers, The Byron Quartet is actively involved in the musical pedagogy, by organizing numerous training courses.
In 2009, the Byron Quartet won the Audience Prize of the Chamber Music Contest of the “Pour-cent culturel Migros”, having thus the benefit of their support for two years. The Byron Quartet also benefits from the active support of Proquartet-CEMC, of the SACEM, of the SPEDIDAM, as well as of the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation.
In October 2010, the quartet will record a Shostakovich CD (8th and 9th quartets, Polka and Elegy) for the French Label Aparté/Harmonia Mundi.
Wendy Ghysels
First violin
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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
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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 Violin Teacher at the «Conservatoire Populaire de Musique» in Geneva.
Robin Lemmel
Viola
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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.
