Astoro Art Ensemble
Astoro Art, previously known as Solter Plus, is a chamber ensemble founded in 2014 by Zoia Sorel and Terézia Vargová during their studies at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz, Austria. Now based in Munich, the ensemble performs across Europe in various formations, including string duos, piano trios, string quartets and larger chamber groups. Their performances have appeared at multiple international festivals, including the Brucknerfest in Linz and the Reverb Festival in Regensburg.
A distinctive part of Astoro’s identity is its interdisciplinary approach. Alongside traditional classical programs, the ensemble also creates concert-exhibitions that enrich music with elements of visual art, psychology, philosophy and poetic narrative, offering audiences a unique emotional dimension. In addition, Astoro collaborates with various artists, expanding its projects through creative partnerships across different art forms.
Astoro has also been recognized as prizewinners in several international competitions across the United Kingdom, Austria, Italy, Greece and Serbia, receiving awards for artistic performance and creative programming.
Beyond their artistic work on stage, Astoro’s members continue to share their musical knowledge and experience through teaching and coaching. Further information about the ensemble’s concerts, events and coaching can be found on the next pages.
Members:
Zoia Sorel – violin & viola, texts, paintings
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Zoia Sorel completed her Master’s studies in violin performance and pedagogy at the National Tchaikovsky Music Academy of Ukraine in the class of Bohodar Kotorovych and Bogdana Pivnenko, and later at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz with Arkadi Vinokurov and Josef Sabaini. She continued her postgraduate studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna in the class of Dora Schwarzberg.
Zoia is a prizewinner of numerous international competitions and scholarships, including the Presidential Scholarship of Ukraine for outstanding students, the Edith-Rebhahn Scholarship of the Anton Bruckner University, the Gnesin Chamber Music Competition (Russia), “New Names of Ukraine,” the Festival “Jugend & Musik in Wien,” the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition (Belgium), the Melos International Music Competitions in Italy, and the United Kingdom and others.
As a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster, she has performed at international festivals such as the Brucknerfest in Linz and the Reverb Festival in Regensburg, as well as in concert tours and recitals across China, Austria, Italy, Germany, Ukraine, and Montenegro.
Apart from performing is Zoia also active as a violin, viola and ensemble teacher in Munich.
More information: www.zoia-sorel.com
Terézia Vargová – cello, texts
Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, Terézia Vargová completed her Master’s studies at the Anton Bruckner University in Linz in the class of Andreas Pözlberger. She previously studied at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava with Ján Slávik and at the Johann-Joseph-Fux Conservatory in Graz with Ruth Winkler.
She is a prizewinner of several international competitions, including the IV. Concorso Musicale Internazionale Melos in Italy, the V. London International Music Competition Melos in the United Kingdom and many others. Her artistic development was supported by the Rotary Club Wels Scholarship (2018) and the Edith-Rebhahn Scholarship of the Anton Bruckner University (2019).
As a performer, Terézia has appeared on numerous international stages and festivals, including the Brucknerfest Linz and the Bischofshofen Festspielsommer under Matthias Schorn (Vienna Philharmonic). She has also worked as guest principal cellist with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.
She has participated in masterclasses with Hannah Roberts, László Mező, Sergej Roldugin, Rudolf Leopold, Georg Baich, Ján Slávik and Patrizio Serino.
From 2022 to 2023 she served as Solo Cellist of the Bad Füssing Kurorchester.
Apart from performing, she is currently active as a cello and ensemble teacher in Munich.