Ralf Ehlers (viola) photo Robin D'amore

Since settling in the UK in 1996, Ralf Ehlers has become one of London's most sought after violists. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, he won the 1989 Concurso Sul America and went on to give recitals and play concertos with many orchestras throughout South America.

He continued his studies in Europe with Nobuko Imai, and later with Thomas Riebl, before spending three years as a member of the Pulcinella Quartet, with whom he performed extensively throughout France, Germany, Italy and Austria. Chamber music plays the central role in Ralf's musical life and he has performed with such artists as Steven Isserlis, Gabor Takacs, the Emperor String Quartet and the New Zealand String Quartet, and has appeared at many chamber music festivals including the Mozartwoche in Salzburg, the International Musicians' Seminar at Prussia Cove and the City of London Festival.

Ralf Ehlers has cultivated a particular interest in the works of living composers; he gave the European premiere of George Benjamin's Viola Viola with Garth Knox, and was invited to perform the piece again at London's South Bank Centre with Catherine Manson in a programme chosen by the composer. He has also worked with many contemporary ensembles including Ensemble Modern in Frankfurt, The Austrian Ensemble for New Music and the London Sinfonietta.

As a member of the Raphael Ensemble, Configure8, and the Solomon Ensemble, Ralf has performed at the Wigmore Hall, the South Bank Centre, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Philharmonie in Cologne and other major venues throughout the world. He performed Ferneyhough's Incipits for viola and ensemble with Ensemble Modern at the Salzburg Festival in 2005.

Ralf joined the Arditti Quartet in January 2003.