Joke Wijma, horn

Joke Wijma is a distinguished Dutch horn player renowned for her versatility and expressive artistry. Since 2005, she has been a core member of the Esbjerg Ensemble, Denmark’s premier chamber group celebrated for its dynamic interpretations of both classical and contemporary repertoire.

Wijma’s musical journey commenced at the Conservatory in Groningen, where she studied under Frank Brouns and Hans Dullarert. She further honed her craft at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, studying with the esteemed Dutch hornist Ab Koster. After graduating in 2004, she continued her studies with Koster while undertaking an internship with the Duisburger Philharmoniker, gaining valuable orchestral experience. 

Throughout her career, Wijma has performed extensively across Europe, North America, and Asia, showcasing her talent in a variety of musical settings. Her repertoire spans from traditional classical works to avant-garde contemporary pieces, reflecting her commitment to musical exploration and innovation.

A particularly memorable experience in her career was performing Peter Maxwell Davies’ “Sea Eagle” for solo horn outdoors, coinciding with a live bird of prey show. This unique performance exemplifies her adventurous spirit and dedication to creating immersive musical experiences.

In addition to her performance career, Wijma is actively involved in music education and outreach, conducting masterclasses and workshops to inspire the next generation of musicians. Her contributions to the Esbjerg Ensemble and the broader musical community continue to enrich the cultural landscape.

David Daniel Dinu, oboe

David Daniel Dinu, born in Bucharest in 1999, is a highly skilled oboe player currently based in Copenhagen. His musical journey began at a young age, and he has since developed into a prominent figure in the classical music world.

Dinu completed his Bachelor’s degree at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where he received rigorous training and honed his craft. His dedication and talent were evident early on, paving the way for advanced studies. Seeking to further his expertise, Dinu enrolled in a postgraduate degree at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Here, he is under the tutelage of Professor Max Artved, a distinguished oboist known for his exceptional teaching and performance career.

Throughout his studies and professional career, Dinu has gained extensive performance experience with several prestigious orchestras. He has played with Tivoli’s Promenade Orchestra, the Danish Chamber Orchestra, the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra. These opportunities have allowed him to showcase his technical prowess and musical sensitivity, earning him recognition and respect within the classical music community.

In addition to these accomplishments, David Daniel Dinu has secured the esteemed position of oboist with the Esbjerg Ensemble. The Esbjerg Ensemble is Denmark’s most distinguished professional international chamber music group, renowned for its dynamic performances and dedication to both contemporary and classical repertoire. The ensemble’s contributions to the Danish music scene are significant, and Dinu’s role within the group highlights his exceptional talent and versatility as a musician.

Dinu’s involvement with the Esbjerg Ensemble allows him to engage in a wide range of musical activities, from performing intricate chamber works to participating in innovative musical projects. The ensemble’s commitment to artistic excellence and its vibrant presence in the Danish music scene provide Dinu with a platform to further develop his artistry and collaborate with other top-tier musicians.

In his relatively short but already impressive career, David Daniel Dinu has demonstrated a deep commitment to his craft. His performances are characterized by their expressive depth, technical accuracy, and a profound understanding of the oboe’s unique voice. As he continues to grow as an artist, Dinu’s contributions to both the Danish and international music scenes are poised to expand, further establishing him as a leading oboist of his generation.

Eddie Pogossian, cello

Edvard Pogossian, widely known as Eddie Pogossian, is a highly accomplished cellist whose exceptional talent and dedication to music have garnered him international acclaim. Born into a family with a rich musical heritage, Pogossian began his cello studies at a young age and quickly demonstrated remarkable skill and musicality.

In 2022, Pogossian achieved significant recognition as the proud Overall Winner, Strings Winner, and Audience Prize Winner at the prestigious Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition. This notable achievement is a testament to his outstanding technical proficiency and profound interpretive abilities.

Eddie Pogossian’s talent was further recognized when he won the Juilliard Concerto Competition, leading to a series of remarkable performances. He played Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with the Juilliard Orchestra under the baton of the legendary Itzhak Perlman. These performances took place at esteemed venues, including David Geffen Hall in New York and the Harris Theater in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune praised his performances, highlighting his “astonishing musical and technical maturity” and “winning lightness of touch to everything he played, combined with a velvety tone.”

Throughout his career, Eddie Pogossian has appeared as a soloist with several renowned orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and the New Mexico Philharmonic. His collaborations with these orchestras have solidified his reputation as a cellist of extraordinary caliber.

Eddie Pogossian’s commitment to chamber music is equally noteworthy. He attended the esteemed Yellow Barn and the Marlboro Festival from 2019 to 2022, where he honed his skills and collaborated with other distinguished musicians. He is a dedicated member of Trio Isimsiz, a piano trio that has performed extensively throughout Europe, with notable appearances at the renowned Wigmore Hall. His contributions to the trio are marked by his deep musical insight and expressive playing.

In addition to his performance career, Eddie Pogossian has recently taken on a new role as a professor at the Royal Northern College of Music. This professorship allows him to share his extensive knowledge and experience with the next generation of cellists, fostering their growth and development in the field of classical music.

Eddie Pogossian is also a frequent guest principal cellist with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, where his leadership and musicianship are highly valued. His involvement with the orchestra further demonstrates his versatility and ability to excel in various musical settings.

Edvard Pogossian’s achievements and contributions to the world of classical music are significant and far-reaching. His technical mastery, combined with his expressive musicality, has captivated audiences around the globe. As he continues to perform, teach, and collaborate with other musicians, Pogossian’s influence on the classical music landscape is sure to grow, inspiring both audiences and fellow musicians alike.

With a career that seamlessly blends solo performances, chamber music, and educational endeavours, Eddie Pogossian stands out as a versatile and dynamic cellist. His recent appointment as a professor at the Royal Northern College of Music marks a new chapter in his journey, where he will undoubtedly continue to make substantial contributions to the world of classical music.

Pau Codina, cello

Pau Codina, born in 1988 in Barcelona, is an accomplished cellist known for his remarkable talent and extensive performance history across Europe. His journey with the cello began at the tender age of five under the tutelage of Eulàlia Subirà in Manlleu, Barcelona. His passion and dedication to the instrument led him to prestigious institutions such as the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and the Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth, where he honed his skills under the guidance of renowned cellists Louise Hopkins and Gary Hoffman.

Codina’s career is marked by performances in some of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe. He has graced stages such as the Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Flagey, Bozar, Pau Casals Auditorium, L’Auditori de Barcelona, and the Palau de la Música Catalana Concert Hall in Barcelona. His versatility as a musician is evident as he performs both as a soloist and a chamber musician, captivating audiences with his profound musicality and technical precision.

As a soloist, Pau Codina has collaborated with numerous esteemed orchestras. His notable appearances include performances with the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra of Budapest, the Chamber Orchestra of Wallonie, the RTVE Orchestra in Madrid, the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, and the Andorra Chamber Orchestra.

Pau Codina´s discography includes a recording of Saint-Saëns’ Suite Op. 16 for cello and orchestra with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liege, conducted by Christian Arming, under the label Fuga Libera. More recently, he performed Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129, with the Camera Musicae Orchestra, conducted by Salvador Mas.

In addition to his performance achievements, Pau Codina has garnered numerous accolades and awards throughout his career. He is the recipient of the MBF’s Guilhermina Suggia Award and the Kronberg Cello Festival Schlosskonzert Prize. His talent and artistry have also been recognized at the Primer Palau Competition in Barcelona, where he won both the third prize and the Critique’s Award. Furthermore, he secured the first prize in the Concurso Permanente competition of Jeunesses Musicales of Spain.

Currently, Pau Codina is a member of several prominent ensembles, including the Esbjerg Ensemble, Oculi Ensemble, and Trio Fortuny. The Esbjerg Ensemble, Denmark’s oldest professional international chamber music ensemble, is renowned for its dynamic performances and commitment to contemporary and classical repertoire, contributing significantly to the Danish music scene.

Trio Fortuny, formed from the deep friendship between Codina, violinist Joel Bardolet, and pianist Marc Heredia, is particularly notable for its dynamic performances and unique musical projects across Europe. The trio has performed on major European stages and has recorded two albums in digital video format featuring works by Schubert, Brahms, Beethoven, Shostakovich, and Mendelssohn. Their collaborative efforts are influenced by esteemed musicians and mentors such as Ferenc Rados, Rainer Schmidt, Claudio Martínez, Gary Hoffman, Anton Kernjak, and Jonathan Brown.

Trio Fortuny’s performances have been featured at prestigious festivals, including the Wissembourg International Music Festival, Portaferrada, Temporada Ibercamera Girona, the Centro Nacional de Difusión Musical, L ‘Auditori de Barcelona, Bachcelona, and the Palau de la Música Catalana. Notably, they have secured an artistic residency at the Palau de la Música Catalana for three seasons starting from 2023-2024, further cementing their reputation in the classical music world.

Pau Codina’s contributions to music, both as a performer and collaborator, continue to inspire and influence audiences and fellow musicians alike. His dedication to his craft and his ability to seamlessly blend technical skill with emotional depth make him a standout cellist of his generation. As he continues to perform and expand his repertoire, Pau Codina’s impact on the classical music landscape is poised to grow even more significant.

Canadian-American violinist Maia Cabeza enjoys a multi-faceted performing career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader. She has been successful in several international competitions, and her major awards include 1st prize at the 2013 Leopold Mozart Violin Competition in Augsburg and 2nd prize (Bach-prize) of the 2018 Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Leipzig. As a soloist, she has performed with several notable orchestras including, among others, the Augsburg Philharmonic, St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Munich Radio Orchestra, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Edmonton Symphony and Detroit Symphony.

Her solo and chamber music performances have brought her to some of the world’s most important halls, including Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Teatro Colón and Berlin Philharmonie. In 2016, she released a positively acclaimed debut CD on Oehms Classics which features contrasting solo and chamber works by Mozart and Schnittke.

Maia Cabeza is extremely passionate and dedicated to chamber music, and in November 2024 joined the UK-based Doric Quartet as First Violin. She has performed at many prestigious festivals such as Marlboro Music Festival, Lockenhaus, Rheingau, Kronberg “Chamber Music Connects the World”, Ravinia, Saronic Music Festival, Krzyżowa Music, Southwell, Verbier Festival Academy, and Prussia Cove Open Chamber Music, taking part in the tour group of 2015. In these festivals and others, she has had the opportunity to collaborate with distinguished musicians such as Vilde Frang, Nobuko Imai, Steven Isserlis, Kim Kashkashian, Christian Tetzlaff, Dénes Várjon and various members of the Cleveland, Guarneri, and Juilliard String Quartets. In addition to her solo and chamber music activities, Maia performs regularly with top European orchestras.

Maia Cabeza is co-leader of Aurora Orchestra, and is also a member of Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Principal Second of Kammerakademie Potsdam. She has been invited to guest lead orchestras such as Czech Philharmonic, Haydn Philharmonie and Orchestra Leonore, among others. Maia is also interested in historically informed performance practice and performs regularly in chamber ensembles on baroque and classical violin.

Maia Cabeza was born in Japan in 1992 and is of Argentinean heritage. She received her Bachelor’s Degree at the Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia, USA) studying with Ida Kavafian and Joseph Silverstein, and was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Karajan Orchestra Academy between 2012-2014. She continued her studies and received her masters degree in Berlin at the Hanns Eisler Musikhochschule in the class of Antje Weithaas. Maia performs on a Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi violin (circa. 1750) on loan by the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank.