Franz Winkler

Tuba

Born in Neunkirchen (Lower Austria), Franz Winkler studied bass tuba at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna with Prof. Nikolaus Schafferer and completed his diploma examination as Magister artium with distinction.

Already during his studies he gained extensive orchestral experience as a substitute — with the Vienna Symphony, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna State Opera, the Berlin Staatskapelle, the Tonkünstler Orchestra Lower Austria, the Vienna Volksoper, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSO), the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, the Klagenfurt Symphony Orchestra, the DSO Berlin, the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hanover, the Dortmund Philharmonic and the Komische Oper Berlin, where he was engaged as tubist for the 2007/08 season. In 2004 he was a prizewinner at the “Musica Juventutis” competition for young soloists, giving a solo recital in the Schubertsaal of the Wiener Konzerthaus, and in 2006 he received a special prize at the “Intermusica” soloists' competition in Styria.

Since 2010, Franz Winkler has been principal tuba of the Vienna Symphony. He is also a member of Martin Grubinger's “Percussive Planet” ensemble, of “SymphonikerBlås” and of “Christian Mühlbachers USW”. As a chamber musician he has performed with renowned ensembles including “die Reihe”, Klangforum Wien, Ensemble Kontrapunkte, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Pro Brass, the Vienna Brass Connection, Ensemble XX. Jahrhundert and the Österreichische Bläsersolisten.

From 2006 to 2018 Franz Winkler taught bass tuba at the Schneebergklang music school, and from 2016 to 2018 he was assistant to the tuba class of Prof. Michael Pircher at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Since October 2018 he holds his own teaching position for bass tuba at the same university, leading his own tuba class. He is also a sought-after teacher at masterclasses in Austria and abroad.