Acclaimed Cellist and Educator

Thomas Demenga is a cellist, composer and teacher of international renown. Born in Bern in 1954, Demenga has been inspiring new generations of musicians from different genres for decades with his artistic work and his work as a professor.
Thomas Demenga’s career spans more than 50 years. After studying with cellists such as Walter Grimmer, he received decisive chamber music influences at the Juilliard School in New York City. While deeply versed in classical and romantic traditions, he also explores improvisation. He is particularly interested in music of the 20th and 21st centuries. As an interpreter of numerous renowned world premieres—including works by Heinz Holliger (winner of the 2015 Swiss Grand Award for Music)—and as a composer and soloist, Demenga has developed a very personal contemporary musical language. An extensive series of recordings for the ECM label impressively documents his enormous repertoire.
Thomas Demenga taught as a professor at the Basel University of Music for 45 years. As artistic director, Demenga was responsible for renowned ensembles such as the Camerata Zurich and several festivals, including the Davos Festival. Demenga’s wide range of activities emphasises his versatility and his great commitment to classical and contemporary music.