My dear Vienna!... I do not believe there is a place in the world where I could be happier than here.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), from a letter to his father Leopold Mozart, dated August 17, 1781.

Schloss Pötzleinsdorf Geymüllergasse 1, 1180 Wien

Join us in Vienna, the cradle of the string quartet, for an inspiring journey into the art of chamber music. Together, we’ll explore the magic of many voices communicating as one — through playing, listening, and sharing. Let’s adopt the following quote by Joseph Haydn as the motto for our X Change:

“I could (…) make experiments, observe what produces the impression, what weakens it, thus improve, add, cut away, dare; I was separated from the world, no one around me could make me crazy and torment me, and so I had to become original.”

Come and join us in this extraordinary journey where history, music, and personal growth intertwine in the heart of Vienna, the city that has worked miracles in music for centuries.

WHAT'S THE PLAN

The course will take place 2.–9. August 2026 

Each ensemble will enjoy daily lessons with all the professors throughout the week, rehearsal time, access to
open lessons of other groups, engaging workshops, insightful discussions, and evening
sight-reading sessions after a communal dinner in the garden.

WHO CAN APPLY 

The International Chamber Music X Change warmly welcomes:
● Young string quartets, trios, quintets, and sextets eager to deepen their ensemble experience.
● Individual violinists, violists, and cellists interested in joining a group.

We will form dynamic ensembles to study repertoire together throughout the X Change, culminating in performances across Vienna.

WHERE IS THE LOCATION

Schloss Pötzleinsdorf, Geymüllergasse 1, 1180 Vienna

Today a Waldorf School, Schloss Pötzleinsdorf is nestled on the outskirts of Vienna beside one of the city’s most beautiful parks — the Pötzleinsdorfer Schlosspark. Just 20 minutes from the city center, this quiet setting, near the beloved walking paths of Franz
Schubert and Ludwig van Beethoven, provides the perfect atmosphere for our X Change.

WHO IS TEACHING

 
● Natalia Prishepenko Violin

   Former Member of Artemis Quartett; Professor at HfM – Hochschule für Musik Dresden

● Pablo Hernán Benedí Violin

   Founding member of Caerus Ensemble, Former member of Chiaroscuro Quartett; Founding Member of Trio Isimsiz; Leader of         Balthasar Neumann Orchestra

● Klaus ChristaViola

    Teacher at Stella Privathochschule Feldkirch; Member of Epos:Quartett and Ensemble Louise Farrenc

● Florian Berner Violoncello

    Teacher at MUK – Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien; Member of Hugo Wolf Quartett, Alban Berg Ensemble Wien,      and TrioVanBeethoven
● François Poly Violoncello

   Teacher at CRR de Versailles; Member of Folies françoises and Epos:Quartett
 

WHERE ARE THE CONCERTS

For us, the future of chamber music begins with exploring unconventional venues that offer a unique atmosphere — beautiful cafés, intimate theatres, composers’ houses like the Haydn-Haus or Schubert-Geburtshaus — places that eagerly await chamber music.
We bring our dreams to life through these locations at the end of the festival

• Café Schopenhauer
• Schubert-Theater
• Johann Nepomuk Vogl-Platz
• Senior Residencies
• St. Ägydius-Church Pötzleinsdorf

HOW MUCH ARE THE COSTS

●Group

Registration fee: €100

Course fee: €510/person

●Individuals

Registration fee: €50

Course fee: €530

●Deadline of Registration

31st of May 2026

● Account details

Chamber Music X Change

IBAN: AT10 3743 5000 0014 8395

BIC: RVVGAT2B435

The course fee includes a 90-minute daily lesson and seven dinners from the 2nd to the 8th August.

Your registration will be confirmed once the registration fee has been paid. 

WHERE TO STAY

Everyone is welcome to choose their preferred accommodation during the masterclass dates. However, we’re happy to help you find an affordable and nearby option. 

HOW TO GET IN CONTACT

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out via WhatsApp or email. We’re here to assist you and look forward to welcoming you to the International Chamber Music X Change Vienna.

Rahel Neyer

[email protected]

T ‭+43 677 62763611‬