La Ciaccona is an international ensemble specialising in the performance of Baroque trio sonatas. The ensemble focuses in particular on music from the European Golden Age, between approximately 1650 and 1800, and performs original works, rarities and arrangements in various formations (duo, trio, quartet): recorder(s), violin, cello and harpsichord.
The press attests to the ensemble’s high musical quality:
“The La Ciaccona ensemble plays with exceptional confidence and motivation… every phrase is imbued with contagious enthusiasm.’ The ensemble’s playing is ‘intense and energetic,’ characterised by ‘exceptional musicality and sonic nobility” -Rondomagazin
Maurice Steger (born in Winterthur, Switzerland, in 1971), recorder: studied at the Zurich University of the Arts and gained international renown through numerous awards (including the Karajan Prize). He performs as a soloist and conductor with leading Baroque orchestras such as Musica Antiqua Köln, La Cetra Basel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and Europa Galante, and collaborates with musicians such as Cecilia Bartoli, Sol Gabetta and Andreas Scholl. Concert tours have taken him to major venues such as Wigmore Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and the Berlin Philharmonic.
Sebastian Wienand (Germany/Switzerland), harpsichord: trained at the renowned Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. He is a member of the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and works closely with Maurice Steger, the B’Rock Orchestra and the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. As musical assistant to René Jacobs, he has been involved in major opera productions at the Berlin State Opera, La Monnaie Brussels and Theater an der Wien. With his ensemble l’Ornamento, he has won prizes at Musica Antiqua Bruges and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival.
David Castro-Balbi (France/Peru/Panama), violin: Comes from an international family of musicians. Began his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, then studied with renowned professors in Berlin and Weimar. He is a multi-award-winning soloist and chamber musician, having won competitions in Colorado, Mirecourt (France), Graz (Austria) and Weimar (Germany), among others. He performs worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician, was principal player of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and has been appearing regularly as concertmaster and soloist with CHAARTS since 2022.
Andreas Fleck (Switzerland), cello: Long-standing member of the CasalQuartett, founder of the internationally renowned Boswiler Sommer festival and the CHAARTS ensemble. With his artistic experience as a baroque cellist and passionate chamber musician, he has had a vital influence on Swiss musical life through his innovative programming. Among other honours, he is a winner of the European Culture Prize.
La Ciaccona combines profound experience, successful biographies and the utmost sensitivity to form a lively, finely tuned ensemble for the colourful music of early chamber music.
