Imrich Farkaš – Violin

Imrich Farkaš is a Slovak violinist who comes from a musical family. He began playing the violin at the age of four and was later accepted to the Vienna Conservatory, where he developed his professional musical career. He performs both as a soloist and chamber musician and regularly appears on major stages at home and abroad.

Imrich Farkaš has performed as a violin virtuoso with pianists Pavol Farkaš and Tatiana Fraňová on numerous stages across Europe. As a soloist, he collaborated with the Bruno Walter Symphony Orchestra in Vienna under the baton of conductor Jack Haendler. His recital repertoire has included works such as:

C. Franck – Sonata for Violin and Piano,

L. van Beethoven – Sonatas for Violin and Piano,

E. Ysaÿe – Sonata "Ballade,"

C. Saint-Saëns – Rondo Capriccioso,

N. Paganini, P. I. Tchaikovsky, and others.

He has collaborated with the Kodály Strings Trio, performing works by J. S. Bach (Goldberg Variations), L. van Beethoven, E. Dohnányi, W. A. Mozart, and G. Klein. The ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix at the Viva Musica festival.

He is a long-standing member of the Slovak Nuevo Quinteto, dedicated to the interpretation of Argentine tango and the nuevo tango style. The ensemble performs works by Astor Piazzolla, including the complete cycle The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, and has appeared at prestigious festivals, including the Bratislava Music Festival (BHS) and the Jozef Valihora Festival in Kremnica.

Awards:

Bratislava (1999) Prešporský Paganini – 1st Prize

Dolný Kubín (2005) Talents for Europe – 1st Prize

Innsbruck (2008) Prima la Musica – 1st Prize

České Budějovice (2013) Váša Příhoda – 1st Prize

Vienna (2014) Fidelio Competition – 1st Prize

Banská Bystrica (2017) Viva Musica Festival – Grand Prix Laureate

and several others.

Erik Hasala – Double Bass

Erik Hasala comes from a musical family and has been involved in music from an early age. He was a member of the Slovak National Theatre orchestra and has collaborated with prominent Slovak artists such as Ján Ďurovčík, Peter Dvorský, Anton Popovič, and Cigánski Diabli. He has also performed on international stages in Germany and Switzerland.

After completing his studies, he began dedicating himself professionally to teaching the double bass. Throughout his career, he has received several prestigious awards.

His artistic expression combines technical precision with musical sensitivity, reflecting his many years of experience in classical music.

He has collaborated with the Kodály Strings Trio, performing works by J. S. Bach (Goldberg Variations), L. van Beethoven, E. Dohnányi, W. A. Mozart, and G. Klein. The ensemble was awarded the Grand Prix at the Viva Musica festival.

Awards:

Laureate of the Inter-Conservatory Competition

Laureate in chamber music at Talents for Europe

Laureate in chamber music and recipient of the Viva Musica Prize

1st Prize at the International Double Bass Competition in Banská Bystrica

and several others.

Štefan Bertok – Piano

Štefan Bertok comes from a musical family. He began playing the piano at the age of four and was soon regarded as a child prodigy. He later studied at the Music School in Dunajská Streda, where he received several awards at piano competitions, and continued his studies at the János Richter Music School in Győr.

He subsequently graduated from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, earning a diploma in piano performance.

He is the founder and member of several musical ensembles. He has collaborated with projects and artists such as Black & White, Arte Diversa, Kmeto Band, Attila László, Károly Binder, and many others. He has performed in Budapest, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, and other countries.

As a composer, he focuses on film music. He is currently studying conducting at Széchenyi University in Győr.

Awards:

Special Prize of Duna TV

Liszt Prize at the International Liszt Piano Competition

Ben Harmony Award

Soloist of the Year 2014 in Slovakia

Special Prize winner and first-place laureate at the Ammersford Jazz Competition.