Founded in 1987 by violinist Frank Schilli, violist Rolf Schilli, and cellist Martin Merker, the Offenburg String Trio is named for its home city, located in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. (The fortissimo in the ensemble's name is usually italicized.) This chamber group was initially coached by members of the Bartholdy Quartet, then later trained by Walter Levin of the La Salle Quartet, and Hubert Buchberger of the Buchberger Quartet. Participation in master classes with the German String Trio and the Trio à cordes français led to successful tours in 32 countries all around the world. The trio has won several international competitions, as well as appearing in many concerts and broadcasts. The trio has recorded works by Jean Cras, Albert Roussel, and Jean Françaix on spotify:search:label%3A%22Antes+Edition%22 , and the late string trios by Julius Röntgen on spotify:search:label%3A%22Naxos%22 .