Young, innovative and artful - that's the Austrian chamber music ensemble Oberton String Octet, which was founded at the Graz University of the Arts. In addition to brilliant interpretations of rarely performed works and contemporary compositions, the group also uses its music to support social projects.
About the artists
String sound at the highest level
The Oberton String Octet is one of the most exciting and up-and-coming young chamber music ensembles in Austria and inspires the audience with innovative programming and high technical brilliance.
The beginning
The Oberton String Octet was founded in 2015 at the Graz University of Art. Chamber music at the highest level is an important concern for the eight young musicians from all over the world. The focus of the ensemble's work is the popularization of the string octet genre and its standard works, the expansion of the genre through innovative arrangements, the rediscovery of rarely performed works, as well as contemporary compositions by young composers and world premieres.
Awards
For the debut album Slavic Soul on the renowned German label ARS Production, on which the world premiere recording of the double quartet by Nikolay Afanasyev can be heard, they received a nomination for the German music prize “Opus Klassik” in three categories as well as a nomination for the German “Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik”.
On the occasion of Astor Piazzolla's 100th birthday, the second recording Tangabile caused a stir beyond the Austrian borders.
On Stage
Concerts in many parts of Europe and around the world line the career of the chamber music group, e.g. appearances at the Musikverein Graz, in the Wiener Konzerthaus, at the Vienna Film Festival in Yekaterinburg (Russia), participation as an ensemble in residence at the Steirisches Kammermusikfestival, the opening of the Festwochen Gmunden, appearances at the Sounding Jerusalem Festival and the Carinthian Summer as well as a performance on the occasion of the Celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Austria in the Vienna Hofburg in the presence of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Main focus
The Oberton String Octet is breaking new ground with its “Obertonreihe”, an innovative concert series in Graz for octet and string chamber music. In addition, the Oberton String Octet founded the Oberton+ Chamber Orchestra, which regularly performs with renowned soloists. Another focus of the ensemble is the musical education of young people. Thanks to regular cooperation, the Oberton String Octet visits elementary schools, high schools and music schools to arouse young people's interest in classical music with workshops and interactive exchange.
In cooperation with ORF, several recordings were made for the Austrian music archive. The ensemble is also committed to the good cause and performs at charity events, e.g. in cooperation with the Lions Club or Caritas. In addition, at the beginning of 2020, a fundraiser initiated by the Oberton String Octet raised funds for the northern
