Natalia BinkowskaViola Player at Wiener Symphoniker, Viola Teacher, Chamber Musician
Vita
Born and raised in Poland, Natalia has now for years performed internationally as a soloist and a chamber musician.
In 2009 Natalia graduated with distinctions from the Frederic Chopin University of Music in Warsaw with a degree in instrumental pedagogy. After moving to Vienna, she continued her instrumental studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts under the auspices of Wolfgang Klos and Ulrich Schönauer, graduating in 2015 with distinction. During her studies she was awarded a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Poland as well as a scholarship from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Art and Culture.
After winning awards at several international instrumental competitions, Natalia took part in the famous Orchestral Academy in Ossiach, taught by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. She acted as the viola leader of the Vienna Youth Orchestra and worked with the Bruckner Orchestra in Linz, the Radio Symphony Orchestra in Vienna and the Volksoper Orchestra in Vienna. Between 2017 and 2019 Natalia held the position of the co-principal violist at the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava. Since 2019 she has been a member of the renowned Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
Chamber music has always played a special role in Natalia’s life. As a member of several ensembles she performed on almost all of the world´s continents. She was a co-founder of the Auner Quartet and has performed with the members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
For many years Natalia has been a teacher of viola and chamber music at the Schubert Conservatory in Vienna and many of her pupils successfully passed the difficult entrance exams to the renowned music universities in Vienna and Graz.
In Natalia’s opinion, one can never stop learning. She is currently pursuing her interest in the mental training and body work as part of her postgraduate studies in Physiology of Music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
Chamber Music
Chamber music has always been an essential part of my artistic life. Over the years, I have collected rich experience in diverse chamber music ensembles and have recording for both the radio and the television. My most important collaborations in this field include:
- A duo (viola and guitar) with the French guitarist Damien Lancelle. Our CD with the works of two Vienese composers -Ferdinand Rebay and Franz Schubert is under preparation
- Alliance Quartet – many different concerts in and outside of Austria in particular in the Musikverein Vienna, Italy and Germany.
- Kammermusikgruppe Atout – concerts in different bigger formations (from quintet to nonet). Apart from performing classical pieces, focused on the contemporary music and works of unknown composers
- Auner Quartet – concerts for the Austrian Cultural Forum in Europe and Latin America; own chamber music cycle in the Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus) in Vienna; cooperation with many Austrian composers and musicians; three CD productions, one of them for the Gramola label
