Christian Geldsetzer

Double Bass

No.2 Double Bass

Christian Geldsetzer was born in Kirchen, Germany in 1966 (the year England won the world cup!). Receiving his first double bass lessons aged 10 from his father, he subsequently studied with Prof Paul Breuer (Cologne), Prof Rolf Ranke (Berlin), Prof Rolf Heister (Essen) and Prof Duncan McTier (London).

Portrait of Christian Geldsetzer

Before turning 18 Christian had already won first prize in the German Young Musicians’ Competition three times on national level – and auditioned for the European Community Youth Orchestra (now EUYO) where he was chosen to be Principal Bass for Claudio Abbado and Leonard Bernstein. While still a student, Christian started working regularly with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Frankfurt Opera and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra where he was eventually awarded a year’s contract as sub-principal bass.

In 1994 he joined City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, before joining the Philharmonia Orchestra in 1997 where he was appointed No. 2 double bass in 2008.

As guest Principal Bass, Christian has appeared with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie, with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the BBC Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras. As tutti-extra Christian has recently also performed with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

A passionate chamber musician, Christian co-founded the Gutenberg-Ensemble with members of the Berlin Philharmonic, Berlin State Opera and Duisburg Philharmonic orchestras.

He has appeared at major chamber music festivals such as Salzburg with members of the Berlin Philharmonic and Cleveland Orchestras, Hitzacker, Hambacher Musikfest, Aldeburgh Festival and City of London Festival, collaborating with ensembles such as the Mandelring, Bingham and Faure Quartets, Victoria Mullova and her ensemble, Touchwood Ensemble, Ensemble 360 and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group with Thomas Ades and Sir Simon Rattle.

As soloist Christian has appeared with the Kammerphilharmonie Berlin on CD and German Radio, also with Capella Classica and the Rheinland-Pfalz State Youth Orchestra.

The No. 2 Double Bass Chair is currently available for endowment. Endowment opportunities at the Philharmonia offer supporters unique access and insights to our players. Find out more here.