GÉRARD CAUSSÉ was born in Toulouse. He is one of the world’s leading chamber musicians and concert soloists and has helped considerably to establish the viola as an independent solo instrument. He has explored and evolved new sound spaces by performing many works dedicated to him and his instrument. His constant efforts as a soloist and chamber musician to extend the viola repertoire as well as his exemplary interpretations of the classical repertoire and outstanding recordings have received recognition in the form of major awards. Gérard Caussé became internationally renowned in the mid-1970s as a founding member and solo viola player in Pierre Boulez’s Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has given concerts throughout the world as a soloist and recitalist. His chamber music partners include Gidon Kremer, Maxim Vengerov, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Renaud and Gautier Capuçon, Nicholas Angelich as well as the Hagen Quartet and the Modigliani Quartet. Besides research in the classical repertoire Caussé also has teaching commitments. He plays a Gasparo da Salo viola from the year 1560. Performing Mozart string quintets with Caussé are Renaud Capuçon, violin; Alina Ibragimóva, violin; Léa Hennino, viola; and Clemens Hagan, ‘cello.