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Jochen Kefer (violoncello),

born in 1971, studied orchestral music and concert exams at the state universities for music and performing arts in Stuttgart and Mannheim after graduating from high school. He attended international master classes with Werner Taube, Michael Flaksman, Arto Noras, Wen-Sinn Yang, Daniil Shafran, Johannes Goritzki, Csaba Onzay, Radu Aldulesco and Siegfried Palm.


Jochen performs in numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles (including SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg, Camerata Stuttgart, Black Forest Chamber Orchestra, ensemble suonare, German Cello Orchestra, beatlestrings) and appears as a soloist at home and abroad, as well as at well-known European festivals (e.g. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Philharmonie Berlin, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Teatro Dal Verme Milan, Megaron Musikis Athens, Enescu Festival Romania, Festival La Nuova Arca Turin, Feldkirch Festival). He also takes part in radio, television and CD productions. In 2019 he toured China with the Black Forest Chamber Orchestra.


Since 1990 he has led a successful cello class at the Engelberg Free Music School. His students and ensembles regularly win prizes in various categories at Jugend musiziert and the Tonkunstler competition. He is co-founder and director of the German Cello Orchestra and, since 2016, artistic director of the Engelberg Chamber Orchestra together with Katharina Kefer (violin).

 

As a result of his preference for a wide variety of ensemble formations, he has been writing excellent arrangements for several years, primarily for changing string ensembles. His sought-after arrangements of well-known classical and pop/rock works are performed at numerous well-known cello festivals.

 

...last but not least

When Jochen, alias Joschi, doesn't have a cello in his hand for once, he lets off steam in the garden or while playing sports. His biggest dream is a small house by the sea with its own mooring, ideally on an easily accessible island. He would like to organize chamber music courses and concerts with friends and family there or at another beautiful location.

Joschi usually endures the often heated temper of his four young “ladies” when rehearsing with Beatlestrings with stoic calm and almost infinite patience, true to the motto: Where there is planing, chips fall.

His arrangements, mostly written at night, undoubtedly contribute to the uniqueness and extraordinary sound of beatlestrings.

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