THE CELLOWORLD FESTIVAL
DEDICATED TO THE ART OF CELLO PERFORMANCE AND PEDAGOGY
The Festival
Celloworld Festival - Vienna
Passion - Inspiration - Excellence
The Celloworld Festival - dedicated to the art of cello performance and cello pedagogy - is designed for cellists who are passionate about the cello and want to take their performance or teaching, to the next level. This unique festival offers specialized training and interactive learning in three key areas:
Solo Performance
Orchestral Performance
Cello Pedagogy
Participants of the Celloworld Festival will have the unique opportunity to study with world-renowned cellists through masterclasses, individual lessons, and specialized workshops, while also performing in concerts held in some of Vienna’s most celebrated venues.
Our mission is to create a vibrant international hub where cellists can find inspiration and elevate their artistry—whether as performers, teachers, or both - in the culturally rich environment of Vienna - the “City of Music”.
Beyond the intensive musical experience, participants will have the opportunity to visit renowned places where legendary composers like Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and others lived and created their masterpieces.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of artistic growth and inspiration at the Celloworld Festival!
Faculty
Anzél Gerber - Founder & Director. Specialist for gifted cellists
Solo- & teacher training
Internationally acclaimed cellist Anzél Gerber is celebrated for her expressive artistry, impeccable technique, and dedication to nurturing the next generation of cellists. In addition to her distinguished performing career, she has led masterclasses at prestigious music institutions and festivals across Europe, the USA, Asia, and Africa.
Born in South Africa, Gerber’s musical journey took her across the globe at just 16 years old to study with legendary cellists—disciples of Mstislav Rostropovich or his teacher, Simeon Kozolupov—in Spain, Russia, and the United Kingdom. She earned her PhD in Music Performance from Goldsmiths, University of London, under the mentorship of Prof. Alexander Ivashkin and Prof. Natalia Shakhovskaya.
Her deep passion for talent development inspired extensive post-doctoral research across China, Korea, Japan, Europe, and the USA, focusing on specialized training for gifted young cellists.
Based in Vienna, Austria, she continues to perform and teach internationally.
As the Founder and Director of the Celloworld Festival, Dr. Gerber brings extensive experience and passion for cello performance and education, fostering a vibrant community dedicated to the art of the cello.
Peter Somodari - Principal cellist Vienna Philharmonic
Solo- & Orchestra training
Peter Somodari is the principal cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. Born in Veszprém, Hungary, Somodari began learning the cello at the age of four at the Leopold Auer Music School. He later studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest under renowned mentors such as László Mező, Miklós Perényi, György Kurtág, and Ferenc Rados.
As a soloist and chamber musician, Somodari's artistic journey has been shaped by inspiring collaborations with eminent musicians including Boris Pergamenschikov, Truls Mørk, Miklós Perényi, Tabea Zimmermann, Leonidas Kavakos, Christian Tetzlaff, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, György Kurtág, Jörg Widmann, Michael Collins, Sharon Kam, Sabine Meyer, Rudolf Buchbinder, as well as conductors like John Axelrod, Diego Fasolis, Tugan Sokhiev, and Franz Welser-Möst, along with the Vienna Philharmonic.
Somodari was previously involved with the Budapest Strings Chamber Orchestra, where he frequently performed as a soloist. He also played with the Keller Quartet and the Budapest State Opera. Before joining the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna State Opera Orchestra, he served as principal cellist of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and performed with the Amar Quartet during this time.
In addition to his role with the Vienna Philharmonic and the State Opera Orchestra, Somodari is a guest professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. Recently, he became the newest member of the Altenberg Trio.
Marc Coppey
Marc Coppey is widely recognized as one of the leading cellists of his generation, celebrated for his profound musicianship, masterful interpretations, and commitment to expanding the cello repertoire. A protégé of Yehudi Menuhin and Mstislav Rostropovich, he rose to international prominence at age 18 after winning First Prize and the Bach Prize at the Leipzig Bach Competition. Since then, he has appeared as soloist with many of the world’s foremost orchestras and conductors, and has been honored by the French Ministry of Culture as Officier des Arts et des Lettres.
A champion of both classic and contemporary repertoire, Coppey has premiered major works by Jacques Lenot, Marc Monnet, and Eric Tanguy, and introduced French audiences to music by Elliott Carter, Bruno Mantovani, and Erkki-Sven Tüür. His extensive discography—released primarily on the audite label—includes award-winning recordings of Shostakovich, Dutilleux, Kodály, and major French repertoire, earning distinctions such as Diapason d’Or, ffff Télérama, and “Choc” from Le Monde de la Musique. His performances are also widely available on Arte.tv and Medici.tv.
In addition to his solo career, Coppey is an active conductor and serves as Music Director of the Zagreb Soloists. Recent seasons have featured collaborations with the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Polish National Radio Symphony, and many others. A dedicated educator, he is Professor at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, Artistic Director of the Saline Royale Academy, and regularly leads master classes around the world. A passionate chamber musician and former member of the Ysaÿe Quartet, he directs the Festival Les Musicales de Colmar and performs with leading artists including Maria-João Pires, Nelson Goerner, Ilya Gringolts, and Emmanuel Pahud. Marc Coppey performs on the 1711 Matteo Goffriller cello known as the “Van Wilgenburg.”
Denis Severin
is Professor of Cello at the Geneva–Neuchâtel University of Music and the Bern University of the Arts, and serves as Artistic Director of LISA – Langenthal International String Academy.
Winner of the Echo Klassik Prize (2015), Grammy Awards (2007), and International Classical Music Awards (2018), Denis Severin is recognized as one of the leading cellists of his generation and laureate of numerous international competitions.
He performs across the globe as a soloist and chamber musician in many of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, collaborating with renowned ensembles and acclaimed artists from the international classical music community.
A frequent guest artist and professor at major festivals such as the Lucerne Festival, Rutesheim Cello Academy, and CellEast Festival, he is also a sought-after jury member for international competitions. Prof. Severin is Artistic Director of the ArtCello Festival and the Kammerkonzerte Rheinfelden (Germany) concert series, and serves as President of Art Without Borders Basel.
He completed his studies at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Prof. D. Miller), followed by advanced training at the Geneva University of Music (Prof. D. Grossgurin), Music Academy of Basel (Prof. T. Demenga), École Normale de Musique de Paris (Prof. G. Hoffmann), and Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (Prof. C. Coin). He has also participated in masterclasses with legendary cellists including János Starker, Anner Bylsma, Natalia Gutman, Antonio Meneses, Truls Mørk, and Reinhard Latzko.
Denis Severin brings to the Celloworld Festival a unique combination of artistry, teaching experience, and musical excellence that continues to inspire audiences and musicians worldwide.
Luis Zorita - Cellist of „Concentus Musicus“
Solo-, baroque cello & orchestra training
Luis Zorita, born in León, Spain, is a distinguished cellist renowned for his profound musicality and technical mastery. His formal education includes studies in Oviedo under Alexander Fedorchenko, in Chicago with Christopher Costanza, and in Vienna guided by Rudolf Leopold. Throughout his career, Zorita has garnered numerous accolades, securing top prizes in international competitions across the USA, Japan, Spain, and Austria.
As a soloist, Zorita has delivered compelling performances of major cello concertos, collaborating with esteemed conductors such as Sir Neville Marriner in Beethoven's Triple Concerto. His concert tours have graced prominent cultural centers worldwide, including Chicago, London, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Graz, and Vienna.
In the orchestral realm, Zorita has held principal cellist positions with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He is also a valued member of the Merlin Ensemble Wien and, since 2007, the Kreisler Trio Wien. His chamber music endeavors have led to collaborations with pianists such as Eduard Kutrowatz and Alejandro Picó-Leonís.
Zorita's discography includes recordings of Mozart's Divertimento K 563 and Horn Quintet K 407, released under the Paladino Music label. He performs on a rare Giovanni Baptista Roggeri cello from 1675, lending a historic depth to his performances.
Beyond the stage, Zorita is dedicated to education, conducting masterclasses and serving as a regular instructor for youth orchestras, including the Joven Orquesta Nacional de España and various regional youth orchestras.
Luis Zorita's artistry continues to captivate audiences and inspire the next generation of cellists.
Featured Pianists
Fotographer: Evgeny Evtyukhov
Sofja Gülbadamova
Fotographer: Roman Kuryliv
Elena Nemtsova
Benefits included in the course fee:
Orchestra performers:
(Selected students will perform in public masterclasses)
Group lessons for audition preparation
Free access to attend all masterclasses and concerts
Optional participation in concert upon recommendation of lecturer
Active participation in Celloworld Orchestra and participation in concert
2 Excursions to historically significant venues
Single application fee: €990
20% discount for ESTA and ASTA members as well as undergraduate/postgraduate cello pedagogy (IGP) students: €792
Solo performers:
(Selected students will perform in public masterclasses)
Free access to attend all masterclasses and concerts
Selected participants will perform in a public concert at a historically significant venue in Vienna.
Piano accompanist for lessons, 1 rehearsal and concert
Optional participation in Celloworld Orchestra with coaching and concert
2 Excursions to historically significant venues
Single application fee: €990
Cello teachers:
- Teaching virtuosity
- Aural development for cellists
- The art of teaching
- Talent development
- Incorporating baroque techniques
- Your Individual questions or topics
Participants in the pedagogy course will have two seminars where the group will divide into two groups,
namely experienced teachers and teachers at the beginning of their teaching journey,
in order to focus more deeply on specific topics.
Free access to attend all masterclasses and concerts.
Optional participation in Celloworld Orchestra and participation in concert.
2 Excursions to historically significant venues.
Single application fee: €990
Perform with your students at the Celloworld Festival in Vienna
As part of the Celloworld Festival, we are delighted to offer a special
opportunity for teachers who register for the Teacher Training Course.
Teachers who wish to bring a group of their cello students to the
festival, will be given the unique opportunity to present a public
concert in Vienna at the Celloworld Festival.
This special concert offers:
– A public performance platform within the official festival programme
– The opportunity for the teacher to present themselves and their class
– Artistic freedom to select and design the concert programme
– An inspiring international festival atmosphere for students
This is a wonderful chance to showcase your pedagogical work, give your
students valuable stage experience, explore the `city of Music’ and
become an active part of the Celloworld Festival community.
For further details, please contact us directly.
We look forward to welcoming you and your students to Vienna!
Passive participants:
(Excluded are individual lessons and teacher training sessions)
Passive participants fee: €300
Entries close 30 June 2026!
Please note that travel and accommodation expenses are excluded.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
Preliminary calendar
Monday 17.8:
9:00 – Registration, welcome and orientation
10:00 – 14:00 Individual lessons
15:00 – 17:00 Masterclasses
19:30 Faculty Concert–Anzél Gerber & Sofja Gülbadamova
Tuesday 18.8:
10:00 – 14:00 Individual lessons
15:00 – Presentation by Bow maker masters
16:00 – 17:30 Celloworld Orchestra
19:30 Faculty Concert: Marc Coppey & Sofja Gülbadamova
Wednesday 19.8:
10:00 – 13:00 Individual lessons
14:00 – 16:00 Rehearsal with pianist for concert in Ehrbar Hall on 21.8.
16:15 – 17:45 Presentation by Thomastik Infeld
19:30 Faculty Concert: Denis Severin
Thursday 20.8:
10:00 – 13:00 Individual lessons
14:00 – 16:00 Rehearsal with pianist for concert on 21.8
16:00 – 18:30 Celloworld Orchestra
19:30 Faculty Concert: Luis Zorita & Elena Nemtsova
Friday 21.8:
10:00 – 14:00 Individual lessons
18:00 Dress rehearsal for participants – Ehrbar Hall
19:30 – 21:30 Concert – Ehrbar Hall (selected participants)
Saturday 22.8:
Masterclasses
Excursions
14:00 – 18:00 Celloworld Orchestra rehearsals
Sunday 23.8:
11:00 – 13:00 Concert – Celloworld Orchestra and closing ceremony
Please note: Preliminary schedule – subject to change.
Partners
We gratefully acknowledge our Partners for their generous support!
Celloworld Festival
