Based in Europe, the Ast Quartet takes its name from the German word for “Branch,” symbolizing the growth and global reach of music. Composed of passionate young musicians, the ensemble brings a vibrant energy and a fresh perspective to the classical scene, and seeks to connect with audiences worldwide.
They were recently awarded the Henle Urtext Beethoven Prize at the 2nd International String Quartet Competition Bad Tölz, adding to their earlier achievements of the special prize for the Gérard Pesson commission at the 13th Premio Paolo Borciani and their semi-finalist placement at the 2023 Concours de Genève. Shortly after their formation, they performed at the Berliner Philharmonie, the Seoul Arts Center International Music Festival, the Mozart Festival of HfM Hanns Eisler Berlin, the 50th Anniversary Summer Festival of HMTM Hannover, the Crescendo Festival of the Universität der Künste Berlin, and Music in PyeongChang.
They performed as featured artists at Sommerliche Musiktage Hitzacker, the McGill International String Quartet Academy (MISQA), Traiettorie, and the Vibre! International String Quartet Festival, and have been invited to perform at the Festival de Quatuors à Cordes en Pays de Fayence. In addition, the Ast Quartet are Villa Musica Rheinland-Pfalz scholarship holders and have received scholarships and awards from Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland, the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, the Börsenclub Hannover, and the Förderkreis der HMTMH e.V.
Ast Quartet completed their studies at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover under Professor Oliver Wille and has drawn diverse musical inspiration from masterclasses with Corina Belcea, Kuss Quartet, Eberhard Feltz, Mathieu Herzog, Heime Müller, Midori, the Modigliani Quartet, Wolfgang Redik, Philip Setzer, and Tabea Zimmermann. They continued their studies at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid with Professor Günter Pichler.
Born in Beijing in 2010, Mingzhe Ye is one of the most promising and dynamic young violinists of his generation in China. He demonstrated extraordinary musical talent and refined artistic intuition from an early age. In 2022, he was admitted to the Middle School Affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) with exemplary honors, where he currently studies under the tutelage of Ms. Jiazhi Wang from the Orchestral Instruments Department of CCOM. Recognizing his exceptional artistry and profound potential, he was selected in 2024 for the prestigious Best of the Best (BOB) Program—a top-tier national initiative dedicated to the cultivation of elite innovative artistic talents at CCOM.
As a rising force on the global classical music scene, Mingzhe has garnered widespread acclaim through a series of remarkable triumphs at prestigious international competitions. His impeccable technique and compelling stage presence have been highly praised by international juries. Most recently, he delivered a deeply expressive performance at the 51st Stulberg International String Competition, securing the prestigious Silver Medal (Second Prize). This accolade follows his sensational European debut at the age of 13, where he claimed First Prize in the Junior Division of the International Eugène Ysaÿe Music Competition in Belgium, announcing his arrival on the international stage.
Mingzhe’s competitive footprint spans across numerous major international arenas, reflecting his technical maturity and sophisticated musicality. His extensive list of honors includes First Prize at the 2017 Hong Kong International Chamber Music Competition (Junior Group), First Prize at the 31st City of Barletta International Competition for Young Musical Artists (Italy) in 2021, and First Prize with a perfect score at the 2022 Massa International Young Music Competition (Group B, Italy). His artistry has continued to evolve with recent achievements, including Third Prize at the 2023 Leonid Kogan International Competition for Young Violinists (Junior Group II, Belgium), Third Prize (Group B) at the 2024 Andrea Postacchini International Violin Competition in Italy, and First Prize at the 2024 Korea Incheon International Music Competition (Young Virtuoso Division). Rapidly establishing himself as a shining luminary of the violin world, Mingzhe Ye is advancing with steadfast steps toward the grandest stages of global classical music.
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