Peter Martens studied with Dalena Roux at the University of Stellenbosch, whilst still at school, and later with Prof. Heidi Litchauer at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. In 1989 he won a scholarship to Interlochen, U.S.A., where he led the cello section of the World Youth Orchestra. He also had master classes with Heinrich Schiff, William Pleeth and Ivan Monigetti. From 1990 to 1993, Peter studied in Salzburg during which time he was the principal cellist of the chamber orchestra, Salzburger Musici and solo cellist of the Austrian Ensemble for Modern Music. On his return to South Africa, Peter took up the position of co-principal cellist of NAPOP (New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra Pretoria) and principal cellist of the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa. In 2001 he took up the position of principal cellist of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and resigned from the post in January 2008 to take up the positions of Artistic Administrator and Director of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival at the University of Stellenbosch. He remains a very active soloist and chamber musician. He performed his first concerto with the CTSO at the age of 15 and has since performed as soloist and chamber musician all over South Africa. Peter has taught as a part-time lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch, UCT and the University of Pretoria. He has recorded much solo and chamber music for the SABC and has recently released a CD on “Cello Classics” with the cello sextet I Grandi Violoncellisti. Peter is also a member of the Lyric Piano Trio, the Amici String quartet and Bass-ically Brilliant with bassist, Leon Bosch. In 1995 Peter replaced the injured cellist of the Osiris Piano Trio in a tour of South Africa playing the Beethoven Triple Concerto. In 2002/3 he gave a number of very successful performances of the 6 unaccompanied Bach Suites in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Salzburg. The success of the Salzburg performances coupled with the success of a series of chamber music concerts there has lead to an open invitation to return for similar concerts on an annual basis. A successful and exciting chamber music partnership with internationally acclaimed soloists, Benjamin Schmid and Ariane Haering in 2006 has paved the way for some more exciting concerts in the future. Future engagements for 2008 include invitations to teach and perform in Salzburg, the Stift Festival in Holland, Portugal and various solo and chamber music engagements in South Africa. Peter plays on a cello by Locky Hill.
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