Christoph Wimmer-Schenkel

Christoph Wimmer-Schenkel, born in 1983 in Steyr, Austria, began his musical journey as a clarinettist before turning to the double bass. He completed his master’s degree under Anton Schachenhofer at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz. In addition, he attended masterclasses with Johannes Auersperg and gained early solo experience performing under distinguished conductors such as Sándor Végh. Important artistic influences also came through his membership in the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Early successes in competitions, including prima la musica, paved the way for his career as a double bass soloist. Numerous appearances as a soloist—among others with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín—as well as extensive chamber music activities with ensembles such as the Vienna Chamber Ensemble, the Chamber Orchestra Vienna–Berlin, and the Vienna Virtuosi have taken him to renowned festivals throughout Europe.

In 2002, he received his first professional engagement with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Following a successful audition, he joined the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera in December 2003. Since January 2006, he has served there as Principal Double Bass and was admitted to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Alongside his concert career, music education, outreach, and the promotion of young musicians occupy a central place in his artistic work. As a member of the committee of the Vienna Philharmonic, he initiated and organized the nationwide Austrian youth music competition BePhilharmonic – Strauss Music Contest in cooperation with ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation.

Since 2022, Christoph Wimmer-Schenkel has been Professor of Double Bass at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.

He is deeply committed to preserving and passing on the distinctive Viennese tradition of double bass playing and sound culture through the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Summer Academy as well as through international masterclasses. Further focal points of his pedagogical work include orchestral audition training, coaching and tutoring within youth orchestras, and professional development seminars for double bass teachers.