Our Young Masters Gala Concert at the Konzerthaus became an evening in which music quite literally built bridges: five different Young Masters formations — from the piano trio and the nine-member Young Winds and Concert Band to the 16-member Young Cello Masters and our original formation, the Young Masters Ensemble with strings, flute, saxophone, harp, and percussion — filled the Schubert Hall with sound and diversity.
With their appreciative words, the Rector of the mdw, Ulrike Sych, and the Rector of the Diakonie, Wolfgang Ernst, emphasized the significance of this extraordinary cooperation between the mdw talent lab and the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School in fostering young musicians. Their speeches highlighted how essential long-term support, trust, and shared commitment are for the development of young talent.
The moving conclusion was Anton Webern’s Slow Movement — young talents, alumni, and teachers made music together on stage, while a slideshow in the background told the story of the support program. It was a moment that united generations and made the heart of the program —its commitment to nurturing talent — visibly and tangibly present through images and music.
In the audience, families, companions along the way, supporters, and friends of the Young Masters Program enjoyed this colorful panorama. For three varied hours, the hall was filled with energy, joy, and a sense of connection. Above all, one thing was palpable: what has sustained the Young Masters for more than ten years — inspiration, community, and dedication to music.
Young Masters Ensemble:
Amanda Berkes, Laura Kostner, Johanna Ott, Annalisa Barchiesi-Timmerer, Iris Guthauer, Alban Stutteregger / violin
Robert Galeev, Maria Haslinger, Jana Jankl / viola
Hayato Graff, Franz Winkler / cello
Yangshija Yang / double bass
Amelie Jade Knapp / harp
Kathrin Ellinger / flute
Sofia Bachl / saxophone
Jonas Reiböck / percussion
Coaching: Hanns Stekel
Young Masters Piano Trio:
Mariam Abouzahra / violin
Konrád Varga / cello
Sofya Erukhimova / piano
Young Wind Masters:
Lora Krasteva / flute
Luisa Deitemyer, Tobias Haimel / oboe
Ariella Kouyoumdjian, Emilia Miklin / clarinet
Philipp Guthauer, Rosalie Nova / bassoon
Marlene Fasching, Ann-Sophie Hillbrand / horn
Coaching: Marion Janda
Young Masters Concert Band:
Alexandra Auer, Lauren Dunbar / violin
Anna Rybina / viola
Pia Ratzberger / cello
Emilia Manzke / double bass
Lora Krasteva / flute
Simon Umhack / saxophone
Florian Binder / percussion
Teofil Mikov / piano & vocals
Coaching: Jonathan Davis, Roland Herret
Concept: Lilian Genn
Young Cello Masters:
Nicolas Altenburger, Johanna Baumgartner, Hayato Graff
Mari Hakobyan, Antonia Huber, Emilia Kalmar
Franziska Lermer, Jason Liu, Kamila Šitinová, Yanru Peng
Pia Ratzberger, Dylan Russell, Franz Winkler, Bastian Winnecke
Elvis Zhang, Rongrong Zhang
Coaching: Maria Grün, Andrea Traxler
Trio SMS:
Severin Neubauer / saxophone
Maxim Tzekov / violin
Severin Hechwartner / vibraphone/drums
Dominik Wagner / double bass
Vera Karner / clarinet
Mennan Berveniku / piano
Young Masters Alumni and Teachers:
Roland Herret, Nora Ratzberger, Norbert Simo, Maxim Tzekov, Finia Bogner, Clara Chambalu, Arevik Ivanyan,
Natalia Jankovic, Ferdinand Slezak / violin
Dimitrije Danilovic, Georg Hamann, Magdalena Rychetsky, Hanns Stekel / viola
Wolfgang Aichinger, Theresa Strasser, Agnes Randl / cello
Hannah Seebacher, Martin Wagner / double bass
Chiara Sax / harp
Chiara Zoccola / flute
Severin Neubauer / clarinet
Foto credit: Sofija Palurovic; Do Bogner
Trailer of the Young Masters Gala Concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus on 22 November 2025 in the Schubert Hall
(Camera and editing: Helfried Krainer)
