Prizewinners Announced at the Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition

Austria's Chaos Quartet won First Prize, valued at €10,000

The first edition of the new Bad Tölz International String Quartet Competition has recently come to a close. Five quartets were selected to perform in the final: the Affinity Quartet (Australia), the Chaos Quartet (Austria), the Nebel Quartet (South Korea/Germany), the Abeo Quartet (USA), and the Erinys Quartet (Finland).

The Chaos Quartet was named the First Prize winner and the recipient of the €10,000 prize money. In addition, they will receive a European concert tour and will appear at the Tölzer Prizewinner Festival in January 2024 alongside the winners of other major chamber music competitions.

The Second Prize of €6,000 went to the Affinity Quartet, while the Abeo Quartet won the Third Prize, totaling €3,000.

The Chaos Quartet is made up of Susanne Schäffer and Eszter Kruchió (violins), Sara Marzadori (viola), and Bas Jongen (cello). They received Third Prize at the ARD International Music Competition, as well as Second Prize at the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition.

In addition, the group won Second Prize and numerous Special Prizes at the 2021 Bartók World Competition in addition to the International Premio V. E. Rimbotti competition in Italy.

The quartet has studied with Johannes Meissl in Vienna and carried out additional training with the Cuarteto Casals at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole.

"We are so grateful to announce that we won the International String Quartet Competition Bad Tölz 2023!" wrote the quartet on social media. "It is very special for us to be awarded by such a diverse and inspiring jury with Günter Pichler as chairman."

"On top of that, the hospitality and cordial welcome we have been experiencing in this charming city is overwhelming. Thank you everyone for the support and for making us keep going until now! Bravo also to all the other participants and awardees."