Devil`s Trill • Mustjala festival 2023

Pawel Zalejski studied at F.Chopin Warsaw Academy of Music, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Hochschule für Musik in Detmold and Indiana University Bloomington School of Music.

He is the Winner of many prizes like Special Prize at J.Brahms International Competition in Pörtschach, B.Hubermann Concert Cycle of Austrian Institute in Warsaw, International “Tadeusz Wronski” Solo Violin competition in Warsaw, Grand Prix of International Modern Music Interpretation Competition of “Accademia dei Concordi Roma” in Gioia dell Colle 2004 and several other chamber music prizes.
In 2006 his violin-duo “Duo Viennese” won the 1st prize and the Mozart-prize at the International Chamber Music Competition Concorso Argento, the 1st prize and main prize (Golden Leaf) at the International Chamber Music Competition Premio Rovere d`Oro.

Activ als solist and concertmaster, but primary as chamber musician Pawel Zalejski is the founder and first violinist of the Apollon Musagete Quartett.

Winner of first prize and several other awards at the International Music Competition of the ARD in 2008, the Apollon Musagète Quartet has rapidly become an established feature of the European musical scene, captivating public and press alike. The quartet studied with Johannes Meissl at the European Chamber Music Academy and was inspired by the musicians of the Alban Berg Quartet at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. The quartet was nominated ECHO Rising Stars 2010, followed by highly successful performances at prestigious European venues. It was also named BBC New Generation Artist in 2012, leading to extensive touring in the UK and a number of recordings for the BBC. In 2014 the musicians received the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award.

Recent engagements have taken the quartet to the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, De Singel Antwerp, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Auditori Barcelona, Beijing, Konzerthaus and Philharmonie Berlin, Bozar Brussels, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie Cologne, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Wigmore Hall London, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Milan, Munich, Carnegie Hall New York, Louvre Paris, Shanghai, Konserthuset Stockholm, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Warsaw, Washington, Vienna Konzerthaus and Musikverein as well as to the Tonhalle Zurich. Highlights for the 2017/18 season include re-invitations to the Schubertiade in Hohenems, Music Toronto, West Cork Chamber Music Festival and to the Wigmore Hall as well as appearances in Budapest, Festival de Notre-Dame de Vie in Mougins, Vevey and at La Folle Journée Warsaw. In February 2018 their US debut tour will bring them to locations such as Boston, Carnegie Hall New York, Salt Lake City and San Francisco. The quartet will repeatedly be part of a production of the Berlin performance group Nico and the Navigators at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Konzerthaus Berlin.

In 2011 the Apollon Musagete Quartet after recording CD “Night of Hunters” (first time in the history : Billboard Top 10 of the Classical, Alternative, and Rock charts simultaneously) made their large-scale tour with Pop singer Tori Amos. The tour, encompassing over forty performances at the most celbrating venues, took them to the most important venues throughout Europe and the United States like: Stadhalle Vienna, Royal Albert Hall London, Tempodrom Berlin, Carre Amsterdam, KKL Luzern, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Bozar Brussels, Beacon Theatre New York, Paramount Thater Seattle and Constitutional Hall Washington DC.

Guest-concertmaster at Südwestdeutsche Kammerorchester Pforzheim, Kurpfälzische Kammerorchester Mannheim , “Sinfonia Varsovia” – Polish Chamber Orchester (K.Penderecki) and currently 1. Concertmaster of Vorarlberger Symphonieorchester Bregenz and Ensemble Kontraste Nürnberg.

Maila Laidna is currently obtaining her doctoral degree in chamber music at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre where she is also working as a collaborative pianist. In 2019 Maila won the 1st prize in Maria Yudina piano duo competition in St. Petersburg and the 1st prize in chamber music competition in Budapest; in 2021 she got Gold Award in the 3rd WPTA Finland International Piano Duo Competition. Nina and Maila formed their duo in 2018. Since then they perform regularly in various Estonian concert venues. The duo is studying under the tutelage of Prof. Matti Reimann. The duo has participated in the masterclass of Prof. Ralf Gothóni.