“He is a brilliant instrumental talent with an unusual musical intensity in his performance”            
                                                                                                                   (Frans Helmerson)

Edvardas Armonas, a winner of national and international competitions, the first scholar of the M. Rostropovich Cello Foundation in Kronberg (Germany), was born in a family of musicians. He graduated from the M. K. Čiurlionis Gymnasium of Arts in 1996 and in 2002 earned his Master’s Degree in Arts (music) from the Lithuanian Music Academy, where he studied with his father Prof. Rimantas Armonas. In 1998-2003, he studied at the Hochschule für Musik Köln under the tutelage of Prof. Frans Helmerson, with whom he also pursued his soloist post-graduate diploma, which he obtained in 2005. In 2001, he studied with Prof. Philippe Muller at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. Currently, he continues his post-graduate education in the class of the Alban Berg Quartet.

Winner of four national competitions, Edvardas Armonas has also won prizes in five international competitions: Grand Prix and the 1st prize at the B. Heran International Cello Competition (the Czech Republic, 1994), the 3rd prize at the International Cello Competition in Liezen (Austria, 1996), the Landgraf von Hessen Prize (Kronberg, Germany, 1996), the 2nd prize at the Helga and Paul Hohnen competition (Cologne, Germany, 2002), and as a member of piano trio garnered the 1st prize at the 14th International Chamber Music Competition Helexpo (Thessaloniki, Greece, 2004). He participated in many master classes with world famous cello masters: M. Rostropovich, Yo-Yo Ma, D. Shafran, D. Geringas, A. Noras, Ph. Muller, L. Lesser and T. Tsutsumi. In 1997, he was invited to take part in the L’Academie de Musique du XXeme siecle in Paris, founded by Pierre Boulez.

The cellist performed at various international music festivals, such as the 3rd Cello Festival in honour of M. Rostropovich in Kronberg (Germany), Usedomer Festival (Germany), European Academy for Music and the Performing Arts in Montepulciano (Italy), Alexandre Paley et ses Amis in Moulin d’Andé (France), Mommenta in Dortmund (Germany) and New Names in Suzdal (Russia). As a soloist he performed in Europe, the USA and Japan. He has appeared with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre des Campus de Grenoble, the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, the Vilnius String Quartet, performed under the baton of J. Domarkas, R. Šervenikas, G. Rinkevičius, M. Pitrėnas, M. Staškus (Lithuania), G. Mais (Germany), and F. Bouaniche (France). Since 2006, he has been a member of the Trio Armonas (Germany).

Lyrical element is especially strong aspect of Edvardas Armonas’ artistry. In his performance of A. Dvořák’s Concerto for cello and orchestra the second theme sounded like a lyrical song for cello.

(Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 1996)

In projecting the expressivity characteristic of Spanish music, his virtuosity was as astounding as his talent and incredible sensitivity. (Kronberger Kurier, 1997)

Armonas demonstrated warm and expressive cello sound as well as perfectly developed manual dexterity, which allows mastering of all technical challenges. He breathes together with music. In Karl Davydov’s piece By the Fountain one felt submerged in swirling water. Astonishingly virtuosic streams sparkled like silvery water cascades.

(Taunus Zeitung, 1997)