Viatores Quartet
- String quartet
The Viatores Quartet, consisting of Louisa Staples (violin), Johannes Brzoska (violin), Miguel Erlich (viola), and Umut Saglam (cello), was founded in early 2023 at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin. From 2023 to 2025, they studied under Professor Tabea Zimmermann at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. The quartet is currently studying under Professor Oliver Wille at the Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media. The ensemble has also drawn artistic inspiration from renowned musicians such as Christian Tetzlaff, Heime Müller, Nora Chastain, Mark Steinberg, and Areta Zhula.
The name “Viatores” comes from Latin and means “travelers.” It reflects the fact that the quartet represents four different backgrounds and cultures united by a common goal.
In 2024, the quartet was selected as an SWR New Talent, a three-year support program that includes performances at various festivals and recording projects. During the 2025–2027 seasons, the quartet will also serve as ensemble-in-residence at the chamber music organization ProQuartet – Centre Européen de Musique de Chambre in Paris.
Recent performances include concerts at the Berlin Philharmonie and the Konzerthaus Berlin, as well as appearances at renowned chamber music series and festivals such as the Schwetzig SWR Festival, the Hitzacker Summer Music Festival, Villa Musica Rhineland-Palatinate, the St. Luke’s Music Society in London, and the AIMA Festival in Turkey. The quartet released its first CD album in early 2026.
In 2024, the ensemble won first prize as well as the Friends of Young Musicians Prize at the Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Competition. This was followed in January 2025 by second prize at the Irene Steels-Wilsing String Quartet Competition in Heidelberg, and in April 2025, the quartet was awarded two special prizes at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition in London. Most recently, the quartet received the DC Anderson Foundation Family Prize and the Career Development Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition.
At the 75th ARD International Music Competition, the Viatores Quartet won first prize in the string quartet category.
first round
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, KV 465, C-Dur
Leoš Janácek, Nr. 1 (Kreutzersonate)
second round
Johannes Brahms, op. 51 Nr. 2, a-Moll
Jörg Widmann, Streichquartett Nr. 3
SEMIFINAL
Franz Schubert, Quartettsatz c-Moll, D 703
Pēteris Vasks, Streichquartett Nr. 3, Quartett für 2 Violinen, Viola und Violoncello
Camille Pépin, Auftragskomposition des ARD Musikwettbewerbs 2026
FINAl
Ludwig van Beethoven, op. 131, cis-Moll
Béla Bartók, Quartett Nr. 2 a-Moll, op. 17, Sz 67
