The Schubert Ensemble has established itself over 24 years as one of the world's leading exponents of music for piano and strings. Familiar to audiences from Los Angeles to Tokyo, the Ensemble has been hailed for its dedication and commitment to both traditional and contemporary repertoire. It has recorded over 20 critically acclaimed CDs and has over 80 new commissions to its name. Its 25th Anniversary season in 2007- 8 will see tours to South Africa, Canada and the USA, as well as appearances at many of Europe's leading venues. In 1998 the group was awarded the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Award for best chamber group.

Simon Blendis (violin). Since joining the Schubert Ensemble in 1995, Simon Blendis has developed an international career as a chamber musician, orchestral leader and soloist. Alongside his work in the Ensemble, he regularly guest leads orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta, as well as the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa in Japan. As a soloist he has appeared at festivals throughout the UK, had new pieces written for him by, amongst others, Tansy Davies, Stuart Macrae, John Woolrich and jazz legend Dave Brubeck, and has recorded Vivaldi's Four Seasons for the Warner Japan label.

Douglas Paterson (viola) joined the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in 1987 and was principal viola there until 1994. He joined the Schubert Ensemble in 1990 with whom he has recorded much of the repertoire for piano and strings. He has also performed as soloist and chamber musician at festivals in Berlin, Vienna, Lockenhaus, Davos and Edinburgh, and recently toured the USA, Japan and Europe performing piano quartets with Alfred Brendel. He studied Geography, Agriculture and Political Theory at London, Reading and Cambridge universities.

Jane Salmon (cello). Jane Salmon's career as a chamber musician and as a recital soloist has taken her to more than 40 countries across the world and has involved her in more than 45 CD recordings, broadcasts for radio and television, festivals and performances in many leading venues. As a recitalist she has premiered solo works on BBC Radio 3 and in concerts on London's South Bank and Wigmore Hall. Recital tours have included two visits to India where she gave solo performances to large audiences in Madras, Bangalore and Calcutta. Although the Schubert Ensemble has been her principal commitment for over twenty years, Jane has been a member of the Endymion Ensemble since its formation in 1979 and is a regular guest principal with the English Chamber Orchestra.

Peter Buckoke (double bass) is a founder member of The Schubert Ensemble and is a professor of Double Bass and Alexander Technique at the Royal College of Music in London as well as being visiting professor of 'bass at the Birmingham Conservatoire. As a chamber musician and soloist, he has played with numerous string quartets including Alberni, Allegri, Arditti, Chilingirian and Dante, and is the man and 'bass player in the cabaret duo 'A Man A Woman And A Double Bass'. He has given recitals around the world, most recently in China where his concert was broadcast on Chinese TV.

Stephen Williams (double bass) was appointed principal bassist with the English Chamber Orchestra in 1987. Stephen has performed in over thirty countries and has appeared and recorded as soloist with the ECO. He is also a keen chamber musician and is a regular member of the ECO Ensemble and the Gaudier Ensemble. A frequent guest artist with many other eminent ensembles, he has recently performed with the Schubert Ensemble, the Maggini Quartet, Haffner Winds and Quatuor Parisii. He plays on a bass by Gaspar da Salo made in the 1580s.