Los Angeles Viola Ensemble
(formerly Leipzig Viola Ensemble)
The Los Angeles Viola Ensemble, previously known as the Leipzig Viola Ensemble, was founded by Tatjana Masurenko. Its members are current and former students from her viola classes at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” Leipzig as well as from the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles.
Tatjana Masurenko’s aim is to increase the visibility and popularity of original compositions for viola ensemble and solo viola. A substantial body of original repertoire for viola ensemble already exists—featuring distinctive sound ideas and unexpected qualities. This music opens up a new perspective on the viola as a concert instrument.
Tatjana Masurenko has guided generations of violists through her long-standing international teaching career and has led highly regarded viola classes in Leipzig and Los Angeles. Many of her students have gone on to become renowned soloists, professors, and principal players in orchestras. The founding of this ensemble grew naturally out of her pedagogical work, creating a platform to present young, highly accomplished violists to the public
Repertoire
• York Bowen, Fantasy Quartet for Four Violas
• Georg Philipp Telemann, Concerto for Four Violas in E-flat major
• Georg Philipp Telemann, Concerto for Four Violas in A major
• Gordon Jacob, Suite for Six Violas
• Benjamin Dale, Introduction and Andante Op.5 for Six Violas
• Aram Khachaturian, excerpts from the ballet suite Gayane
• Nejat Başeğmezler, various works for viola ensemble
• Encore miniatures by Gershwin, Shostakovich, and The Beatles
This list represents a selection of works from a broader and continually evolving repertoire.
Former Members
Yuri Bondarev – Solo Viola Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, Professor at the Anton Rubinstein Academy
Adam Newman – Chamber music player, London
Jeung In Byun – winner of the Korean Viola Competition, solo viola Soutg Korea
Bretislav Hera
Cenk Erbiner – violist and composer, founder of the Dervish Ensemble
Ali Başeğmezler – principal violist of the chamber orchestra Ankara and Dozent for viola at the Ankara University
Antonina Shvyduk – principal violist of the Bielefeld Philharmonic
Linda Leharova – freelance chamber musician
Martin Smykal – principal violist of the Aachen Symphony Orchestra
Maria Burghoff – viola pedagogue
Khatchatur Yengoyan † 2013
Evgeny Shegolev – conductor, soloist, chamber musician, Moskau
Neasa Ni Bhrain – Professor at Musikhochschule Dresden, soloist
Mathis Rochat – Professor at Antwerp Conservatory, soloist
Nir Rom Nagy – Dozent Hochschule für Kunst Bremen, Vorspieler Staatsoper Hannover
Aykut Avcioglu – solo viola opera orchestra Antalya
Chloé Parisot – baroque viola soloist and chamber musician
Claudio Dominh Ramos – Professor in Salamanca, soloist
Friedemann Hecker – Duisburger Philharmoniker
Yağmur Erdogan – Solo Viola Mecklenburgisches Staatstheater
Gonzalo Martin Rodriguez – solo viola Wiener Symphoniker
Ronen Shifron – freelancer
Adrian Vasquez – Vorspieler Gran Canaria
Johannes Dittmar – composer, freelancer
Clément Sozanski – freelance, chamber musician
Nicolas Garriguez – solo viola Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
Back to Tatjana’s Initiatives