With Ana Turkalj.
Ana Turkalj, born in Hainburg an der Donau and raised in Vienna, is an accomplished cellist celebrated for her artistic sensitivity and dynamic performances. Her musical journey began as a young student at the Zurich University of the Arts, where she studied under Prof. Orfeo Mandozzi. She later continued her studies at the Music Academy Basel, working with Ivan Monighetti, Rafael Rosenfeld, and Thomas Demenga, before advancing to the prestigious "School of Excellence" program with Danjulo Ishizaka.
Ana has received numerous accolades in international competitions, including multiple awards at Austria's "Prima la Musica" competition (2002, 2004, 2009), the European competition "Alfredo e Vanda Marcosig" in Gorizia (2005, 2008, 2009), the "Rudolf Matz" competition in Dubrovnik (2006, 2007), the "Antonio Janigro" competition in Poreč (2006), and the cello competition in Liezen (2002, 2008). She was also honored with the "Golden Medal" at the 4th International Manhattan Music Competition in 2018, marking her as one of the most promising musicians of her generation.
Beyond her achievements in cello performance, Ana demonstrated early musical versatility by composing and performing piano works as a child. Her talents were recognized with a special award at the Wendl & Lung Piano Competition in Vienna and an invitation to perform at Harvard University in Boston.
Ana’s solo career includes performances with distinguished orchestras such as the Lake Como Philharmonic Orchestra, Lugansk Philharmonic, UAEH Symphony Orchestra (Mexico), SinfonieON, Basler Festival Orchestra, and Puebla Symphony Orchestra. Her artistry has been showcased on prestigious stages and masterclasses, including engagements at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and the International Summer Academy Salzburg.
In 2023, Ana expanded her artistic reach by recording the complete Reinecke Cello Sonatas with Brilliant Classics, further solidifying her reputation as an interpreter of depth and nuance.
With a passion for teaching and performance, Ana continues to inspire audiences worldwide, blending technical brilliance with heartfelt expression in every note she plays.
Since January 2025, she has been a Lecturer at the Vienna Premier Music Academy (VPMA), where she mentors Highly Gifted musicians.