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Christian Poltéra

“Poltéra […] knows how to make his instrument sing. […] It’s Poltéra’s direct, glowing golden tone and smooth flow that’s out front and centre. Always there’s the impression of silky connective tissue between his gracefully articulated notes.”

As one of the most impressive cellists of his generation, Poltéra’s performance focuses on music alone: without excessive gestures, he reveals the essence of a work. His unique timbre is characteristic of his interpretations, masterfully adapted to each epoch and style.

Already at a very young age, the Swiss Christian Poltéra gravitated to the cello. He began his studies with Nancy Chumachenco and then continued with Boris Pergamenschikov and Heinrich Schiff in Salzburg and Vienna. In 2004, he was awarded the Borletti-Buitoni Prize and named BBC New Generation Artist. As a Rising Star two years later, he was able to present himself to audiences in all the great European concert halls.

Invitations from renowned orchestras take him all over the world. He has made guest appearances with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Los Angeles and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestras, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, the Orchester de Paris, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Seoul Philharmonic. His conducting partners have included Riccardo Chailly, Christoph von Dohnányi, Bernard Haitink, John Eliot Gardiner, Philippe Herreweghe, Paavo Järvi and Andris Nelsons.

In addition to his solo career, Poltéra devotes himself to chamber music. A number of recordings (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Hindemith, Schoenberg) document the unique interplay of the unsurpassed Zimmermann Trio with Frank Peter Zimmermann and Antoine Tamestit. In a trio with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam, he plays historically-informed or modern programs in European centers such as Edinburgh, Amsterdam, London and Zurich. In addition, he performed with colleagues such as Mitsuko Uchida, Isabelle Faust, Gidon Kremer, Lars Vogt, Leif Ove Andsnes and Kathryn Stott, as well as with the Chiaroscuro, Hagen, Auryn and Zehetmair string quartets. He was Artist in Residence at the 2023 Schwetzinger Festspiele and played in specially arranged chamber concerts.

He is also frequently heard performing at major international festivals in Salzburg, Lucerne, Schwarzenberg (Schubertiade), Berlin, Vienna, Dresden, Schleswig-Holstein and London (Proms). In addition, Christian Poltéra presented the cycle with Bach’s Cello Suites in Brussels, Vevey and as Artist in Residence at the Schwäbischen Frühling.

Christian Poltéra’s much acclaimed recordings reflect his versatile and extensive repertoire. Among the award-winning CD recordings (awarded the BBC Music Award, Gramophone Choice, and Diapason D’Or de l’Année) are the cello concertos of Haydn, Dvořák, Walton, Ligeti, Barber, Dutilleux, Lutosławski, Honegger, Hindemith, Shostakovich, Martinů and Martin, as well as sonatas of Mendelssohn, Fauré and Saint-Saëns. This season, a recording with Ronald Brautigam and Brahms’ sonatas will be released, as well as an album dedicated to Sergei Prokofiev, that features Juho Puhjonen next to the Sinfonia Lahti under the direction of Anja Bihlmaier.

Since 2013, Christian Poltéra is Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Days in the mountain church of Büsingen. He is also a lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and regularly gives masterclasses.
He plays an Antonio Casini cello built in 1675 and the legendary Mara cello of Antonio Stradivari from 1711.

Season 2023/2024| Photo: Irene Zandel | Quote: Gramophone, November 2022
Amendments or edits need the consent of Künstlersekretariat Astrid Schoerke GmbH

Christian Poltéra with the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz

12 March 2024

Christian Poltéra is travelling to Constance tomorrow to prepare Barber’s cello concerto with the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie under the direction of Gabriel Venzago. Starting on Friday, this will then […]

New album by Christian Poltéra

9 February 2024

Christian Poltéra has released a new album with Ronald Brautigam on the label BIS. On it, the two familiar chamber music partners interpret cello sonatas by Johannes Brahms […]

Trio Concerts with Christian Poltéra

15 January 2024

After having started the year together in Boswil, the trio of Christian Poltéra, Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam will play 3 more concerts in the next 3 weeks. […]

Christian Poltéra back in Taiwan

12 October 2023

Christian Poltéra is finally back in Taiwan after several years. Together with the Taipei-born pianist Hu Jung, he will play two concerts in Kaohsiung and in the capital […]

Christian Poltéra: From Mainz to the North Sea

11 July 2023

This July, Christian Poltéra will be travelling musically as well as geographically. This weekend he will play two concerts with the Staatsorchester Mainz and Dmitri Jurowski. They will […]

Christian Poltéra with the Niederrhein Symphonic Orchestra

12 June 2023

Christian Poltéra is spending the week with the Niederrhein Symphonic Orchestra under the direction of Mihkel Kütson. The audiences in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach will get to experience Barber’s […]

Christian Poltéra Artist in Residence at Schwetzinger Festspiele

9 May 2023

This week there will be three concerts with Artist in Residence Christian Poltéra at the Schwetzinger Festspiele. To start with, on thursday him and Ronald Brautigam at the […]

Christian Poltéra and the Hofer Symphoniker

19 April 2023

Christian Poltéra is playing with the Hofer Symphoniker this week. Under direction of Hermann Bäumer he will present Sergej Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante. For everyone currently not in the […]

Christian Poltéra in Rome and London

8 February 2023

Christian Poltéra and his recital partner Kathryn Stott are travelling to Rome and London this week. They will play at the Teatro Argentina and the Wigmore Hall and […]

Christian Poltéra at Festivals in AT and CH

5 September 2022

Christian Poltéra will spend this September at three different festivals in Austria and Switzerland. This week he is in Graz at Arsonore to perform two concerts with among […]

Christian Poltéra’s new Haydn recording

10 August 2022

On August 5th, Christian Poltéra’s new CD was released, which he recorded together with the Munich Chamber Orchestra. After Poltéra has oftentimes devoted himself to rarely heard and […]

Christian Poltéra: From Amsterdam to Edinburgh

4 August 2022

Christian Poltéra is travelling from Switzerland to Amsterdam and then Edinburgh together with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam. At the renowned Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Edinburgh International Festival the […]

Christian Poltéra in Seoul

18 July 2022

Today Christian Poltéra is off to Seoul to perform Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto on Thursday with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eun Sun Kim. After two postponements due […]

Christian Poltéra: 5 Weeks, 5 Countries

22 June 2022

In the upcoming 5 weeks Christian Poltéra will be playing concerts in 5 different countries. Tonight, him and the Hagen Quartett will present Schubert’s String Quartet in C […]

Schwäbischer Frühling with Artist in Residence Christian Poltéra

24 May 2022

This week the Schwäbische Frühling will take place in the illustrious city of Ochsenhausen, located along the Upper Swabian Baroque Route. In his function as Artist in Residence, […]

Piano Trio with Christian Poltéra

28 April 2022

As part of the well proven trio with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam, Christian Poltéra will play concerts in Bolzano and Martigny these days. Although the programs are […]

Christian Poltéra in Szczecin

3 March 2022

Christian Poltéra is spending this week in Szczecin with the Filharmonia Szczecin. Under direction of Rune Bergmann he will perform Dvorak’s Concerto for violoncello and orchestra, which is […]

Christian Poltéra with a full schedule in Stavanger

31 January 2022

This week, Christian Poltéra will be in Norway, in beautiful Stavanger. His schedule will contain a bit of everything: Chamber music, symphonic concert as well as a masterclass. […]

Christian Poltéra: Transfigured Night all over Europe

24 September 2021

This week, Christian Poltéra will head off on a ten day tour through Europe. With an ensemble around Isabelle Faust he will perform Schoenbergs Transfigured Night and more. […]

Summer Concerts with Christian Poltéra

6 August 2021

Despite continuing cancellations due to the pandemic, Christian Poltéra is looking forward to a variety of concerts and festivals during the last weeks of summer. Next week he […]

Christian Poltéra in Finland for concert and recording

11 March 2021

With a special permit Christian Poltéra was allowed to travel to Finland to work together with the Sinfonia Lahti. Tonight he and the orchestra will play a concert […]

Christian Poltéra in Amsterdam

15 January 2021

Christian Poltéra is in the Netherlands this week to play together with the Het Residentie Orkest Den Haag. Under the direction of Richard Egarr he will perform Haydn’s […]

Christian Poltéra’s Festival Summer

10 July 2020

On Monday Christian Poltéra will start his shortened festival summer. He’ll begin at styriarte and concerts with Esther Hoppe and Markus Schirmer and Schubert’s piano trio in E […]

Colourful Cello Concertos with Christian Poltéra

30 January 2020

During the next two weeks Christian Poltéra will perform three different cello concertos with three different orchestras: On February 6th he will play Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante together with […]

Christian Poltéra’s new Schumann/Brahms-CD

17 January 2020

Together with pianist Kathryn Stott Christian Poltéra has attended to the violin sonatas of Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms and recorded the respective D minor sonatas in his […]

Christian Poltéra in São Paulo

3 January 2020

Christian Poltéra kicks off the new year with a journey to Brasil to take part in the Ilumina Festival in and around São Paulo. At this chamber music […]

Christian Poltéra on tour with Isabelle Faust and Brahms’ Double Concerto

7 November 2019

This week Christian Poltéra embarks on a tour through five cities: In Poitiers, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Essen he and Isabelle Faust will play Brahms‘ Double Concerto together […]

Christian Poltéra on the summit of Pilatus

11 October 2019

This weekend, Christian Poltéra will play two concerts on top of Mount Pilatus next to Lucerne. Together with Claire Huangci, Kim Bomsori and Stojan Krkuleski he will perform […]

Trio with Christian Poltéra in Bavaria

18 September 2019

This week Christian Poltéra will be performing just outside Munich in Grünwald, as well as in beautiful Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz together with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam. […]

Christian Poltéra at Grafenegg Festival

5 September 2019

This Saturday Christian Poltéra will jump in to play with the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées at Grafenegg Festival at the picturesque Wolkenturm. Under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe he […]

Chamber Music Festivals with Christian Poltéra

13 August 2019

Christian Poltéra will be performing at the Kammermusikfestival Mortizburg as well as ARSONORE in Graz. He will be playing together with Mira Wang, Esther Hoppe, Linus Roth and […]

Christian Poltéra at Montebello Festival together with Esther Hoppe and Francesco Piemontesi

12 July 2019

Tonight the Swiss trio Esther Hoppe, Christian Poltéra and Francesco Piemontesi will terminate this year’s Montebello Festival at the stunning setting of Montebello Castle in Swiss Tessin playing […]

Christian Poltéra – Piano quartet tour with Alina Ibragimova, Nils Mönkemeyer und William Youn

29 March 2019

Beginning of April Christian Poltéra will be on tour with Alina Ibragimova, Nils Mönkemeyer und William Youn in Germany, Belgium and Norway performing pieces by Mahler, Mozart and […]

Christian Poltéra as soloist at Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra

28 February 2019

With Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante op. 125, Christian Poltéra and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the Kolarac Foundation Hall on March 1st. 01st Mar Kolarac Foundation […]

Christian Poltéra as guest in Zurich

11 January 2019

In the New Year, Christian Poltéra will be guest at the Zurich Opera House and will present the Concerto for Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra in A minor op. […]

Christian Poltéra with concerts in Amsterdam and Bern

8 October 2018

On October 7th, Christian Poltéra and his longtime piano partner Ronald Brautigam will give a chamber music concert in the Amsterdam Muziekgebouw. The duo is known for its […]

Christian Poltéra plays Dvořák for season opening in Mainz

30 August 2018

The Staatstheater Mainz starts off the season on August 31st with a musical highlight: Christian Poltéra will present one of the most beloved cello concertos, Dvořák‘s Cello Concerto […]

Christian Poltéra with Beethoven Cello Sonatas in Taiwan

25 April 2018

On the April 28th and 30th, Christian Poltéra will perform in Taiwan with his piano partner Hu Jung. The musicians face a great challenge: they will play all […]

Christian Poltéra on tour with the Trio Zimmermann

21 March 2018

Undoubtedly, the Trio Zimmermann is one of the most outstanding ensembles of our time. Not least of which is thanks to its top-notch cast, which includes namesake Frank […]

Into the new year with Christian Poltéra

16 January 2018

With the start of the new year we are very excited to be working with out new cellist Christian Poltéra. See for yourself:

Welcome Christian Poltéra!

21 December 2017

As one of the most impressive musicians of his generation, Poltéra’s performance focuses on the music alone. Without great gestures, he reveals the essence of a work, with […]

Christian Poltéra with the Südwestdeutsche Philharmonie Konstanz

12 March 2024

Christian Poltéra with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam 25/26

11 March 2024

Ronald Brautigam | Piano/ Fortepiano Esther Hoppe | Violin Christian Poltéra | Violoncello Christian Poltéra and Ronald Brautigam have a long history of musical collaboration, which has also […]

Christian Poltéra and Ronald Brautigam

10 March 2024

Christian Poltéra | Violoncello Ronald Brautigam | Piano/Pianoforte The two musicians are linked by a long musical collaboration in various formations, which has led to Poltéra and Brautigam […]

Christian Poltéra and Juho Pohjonen

9 March 2024

Christian Poltéra | Violoncello Juho Pohjonen | Piano Christian Poltéra and Juho Pohjonen last played together as part of Christian Poltéra’s residency at the Schwetzingen Festival, which turned […]

Christian Poltéra with Esther Hoppe and Matthias Lingenfelder

8 March 2024

Esther Hoppe | Violin Matthias Lingenfelder | Violin Christian Poltéra | Violoncello Christian Poltéra, Esther Hoppe and Matthias Lingenfelder from the Auryn Quartet have come together to form […]

Christian Poltera and Wolf Wondratschek – “The Mara”

6 March 2024

Christian Poltéra | Violoncello Wolf Wondratschek | Recitation Depending on the context of the event, the program and the reading can be adapted. Program with piano J. S. […]

Christian Poltéra with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam 24/25

5 March 2024

Three sophisticated and well-established artists find themselves in violinist Esther Hoppe, 1st prize winner at the ARD Competition, and the two renowned BIS artists, cellist Christian Poltéra and […]

Christian Poltéra with Chiaroscuro Quartet

4 March 2024

Christian Poltéra with Pascal Moraguès and Messiaen

3 March 2024

Esther Hoppe | Violin Christian Poltéra | Violoncello Pascal Moraguès | Clarinet Juho Pohjonen | Piano “Messiaen combines all of this into a sensual experience that directly appeals […]

New album by Christian Poltéra

9 February 2024

Christian Poltéra has released a new album with Ronald Brautigam on the label BIS. On it, the two familiar chamber music partners interpret cello sonatas by Johannes Brahms […]

Christian Poltéra: Barber Cello Concerto

24 January 2024

Trio Concerts with Christian Poltéra

15 January 2024

After having started the year together in Boswil, the trio of Christian Poltéra, Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam will play 3 more concerts in the next 3 weeks. […]

Christian Poltéra back in Taiwan

12 October 2023

Christian Poltéra is finally back in Taiwan after several years. Together with the Taipei-born pianist Hu Jung, he will play two concerts in Kaohsiung and in the capital […]

Christian Poltéra: From Mainz to the North Sea

11 July 2023

This July, Christian Poltéra will be travelling musically as well as geographically. This weekend he will play two concerts with the Staatsorchester Mainz and Dmitri Jurowski. They will […]

Christian Poltéra with the Niederrhein Symphonic Orchestra

12 June 2023

Christian Poltéra Artist in Residence at Schwetzinger Festspiele

9 May 2023

This week there will be three concerts with Artist in Residence Christian Poltéra at the Schwetzinger Festspiele. To start with, on thursday him and Ronald Brautigam at the […]

Christian Poltéra and the Hofer Symphoniker

19 April 2023

Christian Poltéra in Rome and London

8 February 2023

Christian Poltéra and his recital partner Kathryn Stott are travelling to Rome and London this week. They will play at the Teatro Argentina and the Wigmore Hall and […]

Christian Poltéra, Esther Hoppe & Ronald Brautigam

28 November 2022

Christian Poltéra at Festivals in AT and CH

5 September 2022

Christian Poltéra will spend this September at three different festivals in Austria and Switzerland. This week he is in Graz at Arsonore to perform two concerts with among […]

Christian Poltéra’s new Haydn recording

10 August 2022

On August 5th, Christian Poltéra’s new CD was released, which he recorded together with the Munich Chamber Orchestra. After Poltéra has oftentimes devoted himself to rarely heard and […]

Christian Poltéra: From Amsterdam to Edinburgh

4 August 2022

Christian Poltéra on Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto

3 August 2022

Christian Poltéra: Dvorak – Piano Quartet No. 2

2 August 2022

Christian Poltéra in Seoul

18 July 2022

Today Christian Poltéra is off to Seoul to perform Lutoslawski’s Cello Concerto on Thursday with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eun Sun Kim. After two postponements due […]

Christian Poltéra: 5 Weeks, 5 Countries

22 June 2022

In the upcoming 5 weeks Christian Poltéra will be playing concerts in 5 different countries. Tonight, him and the Hagen Quartett will present Schubert’s String Quartet in C […]

Schwäbischer Frühling with Artist in Residence Christian Poltéra

24 May 2022

This week the Schwäbische Frühling will take place in the illustrious city of Ochsenhausen, located along the Upper Swabian Baroque Route. In his function as Artist in Residence, […]

Piano Trio with Christian Poltéra

28 April 2022

As part of the well proven trio with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam, Christian Poltéra will play concerts in Bolzano and Martigny these days. Although the programs are […]

Christian Poltéra in Szczecin

3 March 2022

Christian Poltéra is spending this week in Szczecin with the Filharmonia Szczecin. Under direction of Rune Bergmann he will perform Dvorak’s Concerto for violoncello and orchestra, which is […]

Christian Poltéra with a full schedule in Stavanger

31 January 2022

This week, Christian Poltéra will be in Norway, in beautiful Stavanger. His schedule will contain a bit of everything: Chamber music, symphonic concert as well as a masterclass. […]

Christian Poltéra: Transfigured Night all over Europe

24 September 2021

This week, Christian Poltéra will head off on a ten day tour through Europe. With an ensemble around Isabelle Faust he will perform Schoenbergs Transfigured Night and more. […]

Summer Concerts with Christian Poltéra

6 August 2021

Despite continuing cancellations due to the pandemic, Christian Poltéra is looking forward to a variety of concerts and festivals during the last weeks of summer. Next week he […]

Christian Poltéra in Finland for concert and recording

11 March 2021

With a special permit Christian Poltéra was allowed to travel to Finland to work together with the Sinfonia Lahti. Tonight he and the orchestra will play a concert […]

Christian Poltéra in Amsterdam

15 January 2021

Christian Poltéra is in the Netherlands this week to play together with the Het Residentie Orkest Den Haag. Under the direction of Richard Egarr he will perform Haydn’s […]

Christian Poltéra’s Festival Summer

10 July 2020

On Monday Christian Poltéra will start his shortened festival summer. He’ll begin at styriarte and concerts with Esther Hoppe and Markus Schirmer and Schubert’s piano trio in E […]

Colourful Cello Concertos with Christian Poltéra

30 January 2020

Christian Poltéra’s new Schumann/Brahms-CD

17 January 2020

Together with pianist Kathryn Stott Christian Poltéra has attended to the violin sonatas of Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms and recorded the respective D minor sonatas in his […]

Christian Poltéra in São Paulo

3 January 2020

Christian Poltéra kicks off the new year with a journey to Brasil to take part in the Ilumina Festival in and around São Paulo. At this chamber music […]

Christian Poltéra on tour with Isabelle Faust and Brahms’ Double Concerto

7 November 2019

This week Christian Poltéra embarks on a tour through five cities: In Poitiers, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Essen he and Isabelle Faust will play Brahms‘ Double Concerto together […]

Christian Poltéra on the summit of Pilatus

11 October 2019

This weekend, Christian Poltéra will play two concerts on top of Mount Pilatus next to Lucerne. Together with Claire Huangci, Kim Bomsori and Stojan Krkuleski he will perform […]

Trio with Christian Poltéra in Bavaria

18 September 2019

This week Christian Poltéra will be performing just outside Munich in Grünwald, as well as in beautiful Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz together with Esther Hoppe and Ronald Brautigam. […]

Christian Poltéra at Grafenegg Festival

5 September 2019

This Saturday Christian Poltéra will jump in to play with the Orchestre des Champs-Elysées at Grafenegg Festival at the picturesque Wolkenturm. Under the direction of Philippe Herreweghe he […]

Chamber Music Festivals with Christian Poltéra

13 August 2019

Christian Poltéra will be performing at the Kammermusikfestival Mortizburg as well as ARSONORE in Graz. He will be playing together with Mira Wang, Esther Hoppe, Linus Roth and […]

Christian Poltéra at Montebello Festival together with Esther Hoppe and Francesco Piemontesi

12 July 2019

Hünenberg – Gutsbetrieb Chamau

18 April 2019

Haydn Trio D minor XV 23 Janáček Sonata for violin and piano Debussy Sonata for violoncello and piano in D minor Dvořák Trio in F minor op. 65 […]

Christian Poltéra – Piano quartet tour with Alina Ibragimova, Nils Mönkemeyer und William Youn

29 March 2019

Beginning of April Christian Poltéra will be on tour with Alina Ibragimova, Nils Mönkemeyer und William Youn in Germany, Belgium and Norway performing pieces by Mahler, Mozart and […]

Old Amersham – St Mary’s Church

26 March 2019

midsummer music festival – programme tba

Old Amersham – St Mary’s Church

26 March 2019

midsummer music festival – programme tba

Old Amersham – St Mary’s Church

26 March 2019

midsummer music festival – programme tba

Christian Poltéra as soloist at Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra

28 February 2019

With Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante op. 125, Christian Poltéra and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the Kolarac Foundation Hall on March 1st. 01st Mar Kolarac Foundation […]

Bellmund – Kulturzentrum La Prairie

22 February 2019

J.S. Bach Suite No.1 G major BWV 1007 for violoncello solo A. Honegger Sonatina for violin and violoncello J.S. Bach Sonata No. 1 G major BWV 1001 for […]

Wien – Konzerthaus

22 February 2019

Schönberg String Trio op. 45 J. S. Bach Goldberg-Variations BWV 988 Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin Antoine Tamestit, viola

Munich – Prinzregententheater

22 February 2019

Schönberg String Trio op. 45 J. S. Bach Goldberg-Variations BWV 988 Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin Antoine Tamestit, viola

Erlangen – Heinrich-Lades-Halle

22 February 2019

Schönberg String Trio op. 45 J. S. Bach Goldberg-Variations BWV 988 Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin Antoine Tamestit, viola

Budapest – Franz Liszt Music Academy Budapest

22 February 2019

Schönberg String Trio op. 45 J. S. Bach Goldberg-Variations BWV 988 Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin Antoine Tamestit, viola

Gjøvik – Kultursenter

17 January 2019