Grigori Katz - LIUCO - LIUTERIA CORTESI CREMONENSIS

Grigori Katz is an accomplished double bass player born in Smolensk, Russia. His passion for music has deep family roots, having started studying violin at the age of five under the guidance of his father, Sakar Katz, a talented conductor and violist. His transition to the double bass at the age of twelve marked the beginning of an exceptional artistic career.

After completing his studies at the Music School of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Katz continued his education at the ‘Hanns Eisler’ University of Music in Berlin, graduating with honours in 1997. His exceptional talent has been recognised at numerous international competitions, including the Edinburgh International Double Bass Competition in 1998, the Thessaloniki International Chamber Music Competition in 2002 and the Max Reger Chamber Music Competition in Sondershausen in 2006.

Grigori Katz has gained notoriety both as a soloist and as a member of prestigious ensembles. He is particularly known for his performances with his brother Pawel Katz, a violinist, in the duo ‘Katz & Katz’ and in the ‘Katz-Trio’ with his father Sakar. He has also collaborated with internationally renowned soloists such as Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet and Boris Pergamenschikow.

Since 1990, Katz has been part of prestigious international orchestras, taking on leading roles as a double bass soloist. He has played with the German Symphony Orchestra Berlin, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Musica Vitae Chamber Orchestra and the Royal Chapel of Copenhagen. Since 2004, he has held the position of double bass soloist in the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra at the Kronberg Academy.

Grigori Katz is recognised not only for his technical mastery, but also for the emotional depth he brings to his interpretations, making him one of the most influential double bassists of his time.