Walter Auer - Flute
Principal flute of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra

Anne Angerer - Oboe
Principal oboe of the South-West Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart

Jochen Tschabrun - Clarinet
Principal clarinet of the Radio Symphony Orchestra Frankfurt/ Main

Jan Wessely - Horn
Deputy principal horn of the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig

Marion Reinhard - Bassoon
Double bassoonist in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

The Orsolino Quintet was foundet in 1996 in Berlin; its name (italian for "little bear") derives from the city's mascot. At the time all of them held two-year scholarships of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra's Academy. The artistry of the Orsolino Quintet was thus fine-tuned by studying with leading wind players of the orchestra and by joining them in rehearsals and concerts.In 1996 the ensemble made its debut in the chamber music hall off the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.In 1997,just one year later, they were awarded third prize in the international competition of the ARD (Association of Broadcasting Stations in Germany) in Munich.
In April 2000 they were the prize winners in the German competition for chamber music in Bonn, coming top of all participating chamber music ensembles.
In September 2001 the Orsolino Quintet was once again successful in the international ARD competition,receiving the second prize.These awards complment the ensemble's succesful and varied career. The Orsolino Quintet has become well known both in Germany and in the rest of Europe, at international festivals, by their participation in prestigious concerts and through their CDs and radio recordings. Their first CD, containing works by Ibert, Danzi, Mozart and Taffanel, was recorderd for TUDOR in 1999. It won high acclaim from specialist publications, including "Klassik heute" (Classical Music today). In March 2001 PRIMAVERA issued their second CD of works by Villa-Lobos, Reicha, Mozart and Ligeti.Performances and live recordings with Bavarian Radio, Radio Mainz, Radio Baden-Baden, Radio Bremen, Radio Hessen, Radio Hannover, Radio and Television of Free Berlin and Austrian Radio make up the ensemble's discography.The Orsolino Quintet is in receipt of grants from the foundation Deutsches Musikleben (Musical life in Germany) and the Marie Luise Imbusch foundation.



Press echo

Some headlines / excerpts
From the German press

"A remarkable quintet."
	"The cute 'bears' were just too good!"
"They have captured the musical lightness of Being."
	"...the virtuosity and their balanced programme have proved Orsolino to be mature masters in their fields."
"Five individuals in perfect harmony"
	"Five wood winders left a lasting impression on many listeners..."
"Enthusiastic audience REQUEST for more"
	"...with varying sound palette of their instruments ... individual musician spread a rich carpet of sharp dissonance, which for woodwind instruments created the most surprisingly tender tones... how performance of such precision is possible without a conductor and only through eye contact, remains a mystery of the young musicians."