Valentin Erben
has been a “traveler” since his birth in Lower Austria in March 1945. He was just two weeks old when his family embarked on an adventurous flight westward to escape the approaching Russian army.

He was then to spend his childhood and adolescence in Augsburg, Swabia. The eight-year-old had his first regular cello lessons with Paul Freidel, who in turn had still studied with Julius Klengel in Leipzig.

The next station was the Munich Academy of Music, with Walter Reichardt, the then Sollocellist of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. After a year of study in Vienna, with Tobias Kühne, he continued his studies at the Conservatoire in Paris, with André Navarra. In 1967 he graduated with the Grand Prix Du Conservatoire.

In 1968 he won the international cello competition of the ARD in Munich. Two years later, the Alban Berg Quartet was founded in Vienna, to which Valentin Erben belonged throughout its 38-year existence.

He also worked as a professor of violoncello at the University of Music in Vienna from 1970. Since the end of the Alban Berg Quartet, he has been active to this day, whether as a soloist, chamber musician with various ensembles, or partner of dancers, actors, and also continues as a pedagogue.

Recordings with the Arditti Quartet, Artemis Quartet, Belcea Quartet, Meccore Quartet, Quatuor Ysaye, among others. With his duo partner Shani Diluka he recorded all works of Beethoven for piano and cello.