Raphael Gisbertz

Biography

Musical Development

Raphael Gisbertz (born May 25, 2008) received his first violin lessons at the age of six and a half in November 2014.

Just a year and a half later, he began to perform regularly at home and abroad. At the age of nine he made his debut with Vivaldis Frühling as a soloist with the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker under the baton of Mihkel Kütson. His appearance with the New Symphonics under the baton of Maurice Luttikhuis was broadcasted on Dutch television (NPO 1) in 2019. In 2020, he had his debut in Vienna Concert House playing Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate.

He is multiple prizewinner of mayor national and international competitions: Among others, he was awarded 2nd prize at Ysaye International Music Competition in the age category up to 18 years in 2021, and the 1st prize in the Ferdindand-Trimborn Competition 2021 (Förderpreis NRW) in the age category up to 21 years.

In the year 2020 he was main prizewinner at the renowned Singapore Violin Festival, he won the Grand Prix at the Odin Competition, "First Great Award" at the Vienna International Music Competition in the age group up to 19 years, a Golden Medal With High Distinction at the Manhattan Music Competition and a First Prize at France Music Competition. He took part in the German National Youth Competition “Jugend musiziert” six times both at regional and state level and was awarded the highest number of points each time. 

Raphael’s current tutor is Emir Imerov.

Raphael regularly attends master classes and academies at home and abroad. Among others he was a participant in Gstaad Menuhin Festival Academy, Accademia Perosi in Biella (2017) and the chamber music festival Musica Mundi in Waterloo, Belgium in 2018 and 2019. He gained additional inspiration through his work with conductor and violinist Christoph Poppen, the violinists Rainer Schmidt, Ingolf Turban, Winfried Rademacher, Shlomo Mintz, Gwendolyn Masin, Rudens Turku, Leonid Kerbel, Alexandra Soumm, Yamei Yu, Ariane Matthäus, Jan Talich, Stefan Arzberger, Ute Hasenauer, Benjamin Ramirez, the violist Ivo Bauer and the pianists Florence Millet and Anthony Spiri.

Since 2020, he has been playing a Fine Old Tyrolean violin, which the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben has made available to him on loan. In April 2021 he has been invited to the master classes of the prestigious Gstaad String Academy.