"Great musicians with innate cohesion and sheer expertise relate music as it is. Their love of and sheer fun in making music is outstanding"

- Stephen Hall

In 2005 the Max Brod Trio – Kerstin Strassburg (piano), Maximilian Simon (violin), Christoph Lamprecht (violoncello) - was founded by the pianist as a permanent ensemble. The impulse for this was provided by intercultural concerts supported by the European Union. Therefore, musical and artistic communication between the peoples, in particular between the German, Czech, and Jewish culture is a major commitment of the MAX BROD TRIO. Max Brod was an impresario, critic and composer in early 20th century Prague, and he himself was committed to this communication, which more than ever deserves historic and public recognition.

Shortly after being founded the MAX BROD TRIO followed invitations and conducted tours to the Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, China and the United States. The CD recordings to date with Arcodiva (2006) and MDG Dabringhaus & Grimm (Schubert, 2010; Dvorak, 2011; Beethoven, 2012) have been internationally acclaimed.

For the newest CD recording with MDG featuring piano trios by Robert Kahn and the trio was nominated for the major German record critics’ award in 2017 (PDSK). This recording of music by the almost forgotten composer Robert Kahn promises to become a discovery for chamber music enthusiasts.

The artistic home of the MAX BROD TRIO is Berlin, Germany. The members of the trio share a deep commitment to unusual cultural projects and openness for new concepts and initiatives. In this vein the MAX BROD TRIO can be heard together with two radio moderators in its own concert series named “Salon Trialog” in Berlin since 2013.

Kerstin Strassburg, Pianist

Kerstin Strassburg studied piano in Bremen and Hannover with Professor Konrad Meister and in the class of Professor Hans Leygraf at the Berlin School of Arts. She continued her studies in Freiburg. Already at this time a busy concerts schedule began. She participated in several international master classes and sponsored projects. Presently she performs as a soloist and sought after chamber musician with different ensembles and orchestras in Germany, other European countries and the United States, China and India. Apart from performing she is involved in the organization and conceptual realization of concerts and cultural projects for public organizations, banks and the Federal Government of Germany in Berlin.

Johanna Staemmler, Violinist

Johanna Staemmler received her first violin lessons at the age of five from her grandfather, Wolfgang Engel. In 2004, she began her studies with Prof. Johaanes Kittel as a junior student at the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music, Berlin, and since 2007 studied there with Prof. Stephan Picard. Johanna Staemmler graduated at the Hochschule “Hanns Eisler Berlin” (Violin solo Diploma), at the Universitat de Kunste Berlin (Chamber Music Master) as well as at the Mozarteum Salzburg (Historical Performance Practice)。

Already before she finished her comprehensive studies, Johanna Staemmler devoted great energy to chamber music, which led to the foundation of the Armida Quartett in 2006. Her wide experience as a chamber musician is a result of working with great musical personalities like Prof. Eberhard Feltz, Alfred Brendel, Prof. Eckart Runge (Artemis Quartet), Prof. Natalia Prischepenko, Prof. Antije Weithass and Prof. Tabea Zimmermann. She also performed together with renowned soloists such as Martin Helmchen, Julian Steckel and Kit Armstroung.

With the Armida Quartett, Johanna Staemmler won the first Prize and six additional Special Prizes at the ARD Music Competition in 2012 and performs concerts all over the world by now.

Christoph Lamprecht, Cellist

Christoph Lamprecht first studied Violoncello and baroque cello at the School of Arts in Frankfurt (Main). He received his concert exam with honors from the School for Music ‘Hanns Eisler’ in Berlin in the class of Josef Schwab. As a soloist he was a guest at the “Rheingau Music Festival”, the “Alte Oper” Frankfurt, the “Saint Petersburg Capella”, the “Villa Music” and many other festivals. His work with the “Mainz Baroque Ensemble” was documented in numerous radio and television productions. Since 1995 Christoph Lamprecht serves as deputy solo cellist at the “Comical Opera Berlin.