Hassan Moataz El Molla

Born in Cairo in 1980, Hassan began to study cello at the age of 9 at the Cairo Conservatory with Professor Ayman El-Hanbouly. Determined to master the instrument, he grew up to be a professional musician. He graduated in 2001 with excellent degrees.

After playing his first solo concert with the Cairo Opera Orchestra at the age of 16, he joined the orchestra a year later. He was a member of the Cairo Opera House in 1995-2000, then a member of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra, where he was principal cellist 2004 until 2008.

From the early stage, Hassan won several local prizes, among them the first prize at the Arab Radio and TV competition in 1994. At the Rostropovich International Cello Competition in Paris, he won the special appreciation of the competition patron, a world famous Russian cellist.

In 1997, he obtained a certificate of merit for his chamber music performance at the International Festival of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. Hassan played with many international orchestras such as the Mediterranean Sea Orchestra in France (1995- 1998), the International Youth Orchestra Schleswig-Holstein in Germany (1997) and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra under Daniel Barenboim in the orchestra tours in Spain, Italy, UK (1999-2008).

He attended several cello master classes such as the International Rostropovich Workshop in Baku 1998, Yo-Yo Ma in Weimar, Germany 1999, the Spanish cellist Lluís Claret 1995, 1996 and 1998, the Brazilian cellist Enrico Kanerow and Lynn Harrell in Lübeck, Germany 2000.

As a principal cellist he participated in the international UBS Verbier orchestra in 2006. Then he was invited several times to play as a member of the Verbier UBS Chamber Orchestra, working with many renowned conductors and musicians such as J. Livien, L. Slatkin, Y. Bashmet, Gatti, and M. Misky. In 2007, he took part in the Salzburg Festival playing new compositions of one of the most influential artists of our time, the French conductor and composer of contemporary classical music, Pierre Boulez.

In 2009, Hassan was invited to play the same composition but as a soloist, a great opportunity to work intensively and closely with Pierre Boulez. Hassan’s performance as a soloist during the Solo concert tour of the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (2008), when he played Haydn Sinfonia Concertante for 4 solo instruments violin, cello, oboe and bassoon under Daniel Barenboim, brought him wide acclaim.

On the occasion of the 85th Birthday of Pierre Boulez (2010), Hassan played the solo violoncello of Boulez Messagesquisse for solo cello and 6 violoncelli of the West-Eastern Diwan Orchestra under Barenboim in one of his most significant solo concerts. His concert only cover a majority of international cello pieces, but he is also very well known for his mastering of the classical Arab music repertoires. He participated in many Arab music festivals and worked closely with the most famous Arab singers and composers. He also did a lot of recordings of many songs and music tracks of famous movies.

Since 2008, Hassan joined the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) as a co-principal cellist. Besides his mastering of the cello, Hassan has proven his skills in playing the Rababa, a Persian-Arab instrument dated back to the 8th century and considered to be the mother of all string instruments. In the first concerto for Rababa and Orchestra of Marcel Khalife, which premiere was on the occasion of celebrating the Qatar National Day Dec. 2011, Hassan played the solo of Rababa under the conductor Thomas Kalb and knew how to dazzle the audience with a solo performance of fascinating brilliance.

Harald Georgi

Harald Georgi, born in Germany, studied at the famous universities of music ‘Carl Maria von Weber’ in Dresden and ‘Hanns Eisler’ in Berlin with Michael Ameln and Michael Sanderling.

Additional to his studies he already started playing in different German orchestras, volunteering with Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin, Berliner Symphoniker, later with Staatstheater Kassel und Staatstheater Saarbrücken. He holds the position of sub-principal at Anhaltische Philharmonie Dessau for about 7 years, before he accepted the position of cello tutti at the newly founded Qatar Philharmonie Orchestra in the year 2008.

Beside his work as an orchestra musician he enjoys playing chamber music, as well concerts as soloist, with Philharmonisches Orchester Bad Reichenhall (Gemany, 2002, 2003) and Sinfonietta Bardou (France, 2015).

Harald Georgi also teaches the cello at music schools in Germany, and since 2014 at Qatar Music Academy. As couch of the string section he likes to share his music passion and orchestra experiences to a new generation of students, at Sinfonietta Bardou (France) and at Qatar Youth Orchestra (Qatar Music Academy).

Christoph Schmitz

Born and raised for the first 15 years of his life in Venezuela, “KIKO” Christoph Schmitz began cello lessons aged 6.

In 2000, he entered the Berlin “Hanns Eisler” University of Music to study under Professor Jens-Peter-Mainz. Parallel to his cello studies he became a member of the ARCANDO string quartet and studied with the ensemble under Professor Eberhard Feltz, during which time he had the opportunity to work and perform with some well-known international chamber groups such as The Alban Berg Quartett, Vogler Quartett, Isaye Quartett, Shostakowitsch Quartett, Aditti Quartett and Rosamunde Quartett.

His playing has been recognised with the award of several Foundations and Scholarships, including the prestigious Freiherr Bruno von Schröder-Stiftung (Germany), Dom-Stiftung (Switzerland) and Yehudi Menuhin Stiftung “live-music-now”.

In 2008, having been a substitution member of the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester (Frankfurt/Oder) Kammerphilharmonie Amade and Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, he moved to Doha to join the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, where he has been a permanent member since. Alongside his orchestra work, he is a founding member of the Doha String Quartet, with whom he has performed across the Middle East, and the band, Emoción, through which he enjoys being able to express his passion for his Latin roots and the South American culture.

Kiko’s work has seen him perform worldwide, including with the London Metropolitan Orchestra in the international debut concert of Qatar’s preeminent composer, Dana Al Fardan, at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2017, at the Rio Olympics, London’s Royal Albert Hall in the world-famous Proms festival, and at New York’s iconic Lincoln Center.

He has performed in concerts and festivals from Germany to Russia, China and Japan. KIKO has enjoyed his role as narrator in several children’s concerts the QPO has performed, including Peter and The Wolf, and has been a passionate cello teacher since 2008, joining the teaching staff at the highly regarded Qatar Music Academy in 2017, where he is one of the most in-demand cello tutors to his beloved students.

KIKO is proud to be currently playing a French Augustinus Chappuy Violoncello crafted in 1761.

Miroslav Stoyanov

Miroslav Stoyanov was born in the city of Sofa, Bulgaria. Since childhood he has shown interest in and he has devoted himself to music, taking piano and solfeggio courses in his musical school. In 2001 he graduated from “Lyubomir Pipkov” National School of Music – Sofia, bassoon major, with course tutor Professor Petar Kotsev. Mr. Stoyanov has actively participated in festivals, competitions and master classes, playing first bassoonist in a number of orchestras.

In 2000, Miroslav won the first prize at the competition “Young Musical Talents” with international participation, as well as first prize for chamber music. In 2001, he won first prize at “Austrian and German Music” competition and first prize at third national gathering of wind brass instruments, with international participation. He would then go on to play for five years as first bassoonist in Youth Philharmonic Orchestra – Sofia, with it performing concerts in Greece, Switzerland, Canada.

In 2007, Miroslav completes with Honours the higher musical education program of Hochschule für Musik in Lucerne – Switzerland – studying bassoon with Professor Beat Blättler and contrabassoon with Professor Markus Boppart. From 2003 – 2004, he is the first bassoonist in “Music Europe” Orchestra – Italy, performing concerts in Israel, Italy, the USA. In 2006, Miroslav won the highest award at “Jmanuel und Evamaria Schenk Stiftung” competition – Switzerland. In 2006 he plays as a practitioner in Lucerne Symphonic Orchestra – KKL – in Switzerland.

Since 2008 Stoyanov has been a member of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Doha. In addition to the music he is fond of the sports and cars.

Daniel Hrinda

Daniel Hrinda was born into artistic family in Czechoslovakia. The choice between the arts and sports was always a difficult one for him; but finally, music prevailed, and Daniel went on to study bassoon at the Prague Academy of Arts with Professor Jiri Seidl, and as a postgraduate at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna with Professor Milan Turkovic.

Since 1992, he regularly attended the Academy of Maurice Bourgue, whose influence has proven significant in Daniel´s musical interpretation. When still a student Daniel became a member of the fine chamber ensemble, the Czech Nonet. Soon after he would become the Principal Bassoonist of the Prague Chamber Orchestra Without Conductor, with which he performed in all the major music halls worldwide and made multiple recordings for leading labels.

Before joining the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008, Daniel was also a founding member of the Petronas’ Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur. Daniel is a member of the regular educational fine arts event, the Central European Music Academy, sponsored by the European Union.

Away from music, he is a great fan of the rest of the fine arts, golf and cycling.

Vitalii Pervushyn

Vitalii Pervushyn was born in Nemyriv, Ukraine, Vinnitsya Oblast on the 3rd of June 1974. From 1980 to 1988, Vitalii was enrolled in a Nemiryv Children’s Music School in a violin class and studying with the teacher Lerman L.N.

From 1989 to 1992, Vitali was enrolled in Vinnytsa Music College studying violin with teacher Kalinovskiy N.S.. During his study in the musical college, Vitalii took part in Republic competitions and received a multitude of certificates for his extraordinary performances. He also took part in the program, “New Name Of Ukraine”.

From 1992 to 1997, Vitali was enrolled in the Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine, learning violin with Professor Kotorovich B.A. and Docent Ushkov V.A..

From 1997 to the year 2000, Vitalii also completed his graduate degree on solo performance and teaching with Professor Kotorovich B.A. in Petro Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine.

From 1993 to 2000, Vitali worked as Co-Principal in the National Symphony Orchestra Of Ukraine and Chamber Orchestra of Kiev Soloists. In the year 2000, Vitalii won the 2nd Grand Prix and scholarship of Davidov competition in Kiev and received the position of Co-Principal in the “Philharmonie Der Nationen” in Germany with the conductor Justus Frantz. While working in this orchestra he played all over the world in the best concert halls with musicians such as Yuri Bashmet, Victor Tretyakov, Vadim Repin, Gidon Kremer, Maxim Vengerov, Peter Zimmermann and many more.

In 2008, Vitalii won a competition in Moscow and received the position of Sub-Principal in Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and is working there to this day. During the 12 years of him being a part of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, Vitalii received a multitude of diplomas from Qatar Foundation expressing their gratitude for his professionalism and dedication at the workplace.

Joo Young Oh

Joo Young Oh is one of the most established multi-grounded violinists of our time.  He earned his first international recognition at the age of fourteen when he became the Winner of the 1996 Young Concert Artists International Auditions held in New York.

A native of Jinju, South Korea, he has been active as a soloist performing worldwide, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, San Jose Symphony, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, Hungarian Chamber Orchestra, Prague Radio Symphony, Ukraine National Orchestra,  Poland National Symphony, Salzburger Kammer-Philharmonie, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival Orchestra, Los Angeles Theater Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic and KBS Symphony Orchestra among many various ensembles. He has performed recitals and made solo appearances at the Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, the Performing Arts Center in Washington DC, Wigmore Hall in London, Dvorak Hall in Prague, Grand Hall in St. Petersburg, and Opera City Concert Hall in Tokyo, among many different venues around the world.

He has studied with the late Dorothy DeLay, Zahkar Bron, Hyo Kang, Stephen Clapp, Glenn Dicterow (former Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic), and Lisa Kim (Associate Principal of the New York Philharmonic). He received  Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from The Juilliard School, and a Degree in Orchestra Performances from the Manhattan School of Music. He joined the New York Philharmonic as one of their tenured-violinists in 2010. Recently, he has been appointed as the Concertmaster of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to be active as a concert violinist worldwide.

Giovanni Pasini

Giovanni grew up in Rome and Sardinia, Italy, surrounded by a family of musicians. He graduated from the CNSM de Lyon under J. Ph. Vasseur, and subsequently terminated his post-graduate studies in Maastricht, in the class of the celebrated virtuoso Michail Kugel.

During his study years he has been a member of both the Italian and the European Union Youth Orchestra, and met with several artists who shaped his musical growth, such as Piero Farulli, Carlo Pozzi, Tabea Zimmermann, Gidon Kremer, Atar Arad, Fabrice Pierre.

Since 2014 he is the Principal Viola of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra. This is the latest of a series of appointments he won during a twenty-years long successful orchestra career.

Previously he has been Principal Viola of the Verdi Orchestra in Milan, Cagliari and Trieste’s Opera Houses, the Malaysian Philharmonic, the Orquestra Sînfonica do Estado de São Paulo and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Giovanni is often sought after as guest principal by accomplished orchestras around the world, such as the BBC Philharmonic (Manchester), BBC Wales (Cardiff), RAI National Italian Radio Orchestra, and the Opera de Lyon among others.

He also appeared as a soloist in Italy, Brazil, Asia and Middle East, under the baton of, among others, Vittorio Parisi, Mathias Bamert, Paul Daniel, and Yan Pascal Tortelier. Parallel to his career as an instrumentalist, he has been devoting himself since 2010 to the art of orchestra conducting, obtaining his European Master under the guidance of Mº George Pehlivanian at the Katarina Gurska Foundation in Madrid in 2018.

Previously a viola professor at the University of Western Australia, Giovanni now teaches at the Qatar Music Academy and has given masterclasses in the conservatories of Maastricht, Shanghai, Singapore and the ANAM in Melbourne. In Doha, he is the conductor of the Qatar Youth Orchestra, the Qatar Concert Choir, and regularly conducts the Cinemoon Ensemble, member of the Qatar Philharmonic.

Taehyun Kim

Violinist Taehyun Kim was born in Seoul, Korea. After her early studies in Korea, she studied violin at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover, and chamber music at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, and at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

During her studies she formed a piano trio with her sisters in Vienna; the Kim Trio, and made a successful career as a chamber musician. Taehyun Kim was a prize winner of numerous competitions including the Prima La Musica Competition in Vienna, International Chamber Music Competition in Trondheim, International Chamber Music Competition Trapani, Gaetano Zinetti International Chamber Music Competition, European Chamber Music Competition Karlsruhe, and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Competition Berlin.

Taehyun Kim has been awarded the Chamber Music Prize of Freunde Junger Musiker in Germany, the Friedrich Jürgen Sellheim Society in Germany, the Annemarie and Hermann Rauhe Award for Contemporary Chamber Music Hamburg, and the scholarship by the Live Music Now, established by Yehudi Menuhin in Vienna and Hannover.

She has received important musical influences from Hatto Beyerle, Michael Frischenschlager, Walter Levin, Menahem Pressler, Mstislav Rostropowitsch, and Niklas Schmidt among others. Taehyun Kim has been invited to appear in numerous concerts and international music festivals in many European countries, Australia, Brazil and Korea, and has performed in the world’s most prestigious venues including the Wiener Musikverein, Wiener Konzerthaus, Konzerthaus Berlin, Seoul Arts Center, Sejong Arts Center, Sala São Paulo and many others.

Her performances have been broadcasted by KBS, NDR, RBB, NRK and ABC. Since 2008, Taehyun Kim is a member of Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and a faculty member of Qatar Music Academy since 2012.

Yoshiko Koyama

Yoshiko Koyama, born in 1979 in Kawasaki (Japan), started to take piano lessons at the age of 4. At 15, she shifted to Bassoon, which she was studying at the Senzoku College of Music with Mr. Atsushi Ishii.

In summer 2001 she was admitted to the class of Professor Akio Koyama (with whom she is not related) at the Conservatoire of Trossingen (Germany). After she has graduated there with great success, she moved to Mannheim to study with Professor Ole Kristian T. Dahl at the Conservatoire and finished her studies in 2008.

Besides her studies Ms.Koyama has played Bassoon in various Orchestras in Germany such as the Münster Theatre, the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchestra, the National Theater Mannheim, the Theatre Heidelberg, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Rheinland-Pfalz.

Since 2008, she is a member of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra.