Peijun Xu
born in Shanghai, is widely recognised as among the foremost violists of her generation. She is the recipient of several international awards. In 2012 she was awarded the first prize and audience prize at the International Max Rostal Competition, Berlin. In 2010 she won first prize as well as two special prizes at the International Yuri Bashmet Viola Competition in Moscow, and in 2006 she was awarded second prize in the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition.

As soloist Peijun Xu has performed at prestigious venues such as the Shanghai Concert Hall, Hamburg Laeiszhalle and Frankfurt Alte Oper. She has appeared with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Soloists, the State Symphony Orchestra 'New Russia', the Hofer Concert Orchestra, the Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra, Baden-Baden Philharmonie, Kurpfälzisches Chamber Orchestra , the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra, Heilbronn and the Hamburger Camerata, under conductors such as Muhai Tang, Yuri Bashmet, Pavel Baleff and Ralf Gothóni. Peijun Xu's chamber music partners have included Paul Rivinius, Evgenia Rubinova, Mihkel Poll, Jens Peter Maintz, Alexander Sitkovetsky and Julian Steckel.

Peijun Xu's debut CD including works of Bach, Schubert, Vieuxtemps, Chopin and Rebecca Clarke was released by Label Ars in 2012. It has since been broadcast by WestDeutscher Rundfunk, Bayerischer Rundfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur. In August 2014, her second CD of works of Vieuxtemps, Milhaud, Fauré and Franck was released by Profil Hänssler.

Peijun Xu studied at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts with Prof. Roland Glassl, the Kronberg Academy with Prof. Nobuko Imai and the Berlin University of Music 'Hanns Eisler' with Prof. Tabea Zimmermann. Since 2011, Peijun Xu has held a viola teaching position at Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts.

She is a brilliant musician and flawless player – [this is the] pure joy of mature viola playing. There is nothing to add. Excellent musician!

Godelieve Schrama
has forged a wide-ranging and adventurous career as a professional musician. She is a performing musician, a teacher and an initiator of innovative music projects. In all these endeavours, she is driven by her conviction that music brings people closer together.

As a soloist, she collaborates with numerous renowned conductors and orchestras. She is also a core member of the ASKO|Schoenberg ensemble for contemporary music. Her commitment to keeping the harp tradition alive takes various forms. She has been, and continues to be, instrumental in the genesis of various commissioned works and initiates projects in which music and other arts disciplines converge. Schrama teaches at the Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany, in addition to regularly giving masterclasses and adjudicating at international competitions.