Biography
Ingolf Wunder is an exceptional Austrian classical pianist, composer, conductor and entrepreneur. In 2018, he founded “APPASSIO” with his wife and in 2020 “APPASSIMO” – a music and arts education start-up used by universities in the DACH region (appassimo.com). He performs in the most prestigious halls and has recorded several CDs for “Deutsche Grammophon” & Universal Music. He is also an expert at “SDG”: Sustainable Development Goals platforms.
He conquered the world with the works by Frédéric Chopin as well as Mozart, Liszt, Beethoven and his own compostitions. Naturalness is the most meaningful musical aspect for him, along with musicality and of course perfection. He showed the first signs of musicality as a two-year-old: as soon as he heard orchestral music, he conducted it passionately.
His work is described as subtle, poetic play, personal and authentic, without inappropriate mannerisms. The improvisatory character that characterizes his music and Wunder’s strict conception of form and tempo enter into a fascinating combination. A special subtle magic is created. Add to this his charming charisma and his connection to the audience, whom he loves to take along on his musical journey.
Wunder has performed in the most prestigious halls in Europe, Asia and America: Carnegie Hall in New York, Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Musikverein in Vienna, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Berlin Philharmonic, Teatre de Champs Elysees in Paris, Sala Verdi in Milan, Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Moscow Conservatory Hall, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul and many others. He has worked with outstanding conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jerzy Semkow, Emanuele Krivine and Fabio Luisi as well as with renowned orchestras.
Musically he started with the violin, switched to the piano at the age of 14, at the same time developing his sporting talent and his interest in technology and computer science. His debut at the Vienna Konzerthaus followed in 1999, and at the age of 18 he performed at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. A middle-class musical education turned into a fantastic professional career. “I never had any technical problems. I won competitions, everyone told me how talented I was, and that’s when, perhaps in childish exuberance, I said I wanted to be a pianist. And I stuck to that.” He was allowed to experiment in order to nourish his individuality and thus find his true musical identity. This identity also made it possible to overcome a brief but difficult phase of doubt, during which he considered giving up his pianistic career and studying computer science instead.
Wunder studied at the Carinthian State Conservatory in Klagenfurt, the Bruckner University Linz, as well as at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and the Cracow Academy of Music.
He is a multiple prize-winner at the 2010 International Chopin Competition (Warsaw, Poland), the most important piano competition in the world. In 2001 he received the Liszt Prize at the 36th International Franz Liszt Competition in Budapest, Hungary.
In 2019 Wunder made his public conducting debut with the Rubinstein Philharmonic in Lodz (Poland). In 2020 he conducted Górecki’s 3rd Symphony in the famous opera Leśna.
He draws attention to how important creativity and arts are in our society. Passion is one of his key concepts.
Topics
- Arts & Culture
- Music
- Education
- Preparation and training for excellence and peak performances
- Entrepreneurship
- Importance of quality music in a singularity, high-tech future
- Music and the brain
- The human role in an AI future – why music is key or why music matters in a technological future.
- What is quality music and why should I care?
- Why Music is important in a tech future?
- Creativity, inspiration, vision
- Leadership
Languages
Publications
- 100 piano masterworks. (2017)
- Chopin & Liszt in Warschau (2015)
- Wunder/Ashkenazy: Tschaikowski: Klavierkonzerte Nr. 1, 1 A (2014)
- Wunder: „300″ (2013)
- Chopin Recital (2011)
- Mazurkas Op.24/Sonate Op.58/Andante Spianato (2011)
- Chopin Competition (2010)
- Touch (2006)
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