David Bergmüller

Acknowledged for his “virtuoso lyricism” (Tiroler Tageszeitung) and his “exceptionally subtle and intoxicating playing” (Liechtensteiner Volksblatt), David Bergmüller is one of the most exciting and multifaceted lutenists of his generation. His virtuoso performances range from historically informed/inspired performance practice to new compositions for the lute.

In 2024, he celebrated his debut as musical director and conductor at the Theater an der Wien with his newly founded ensemble Proxima D.

As a soloist, he has appeared at the Konzerthaus Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, Verbier Festival, Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Bozar Brussels, Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, Schubertiade Hohenems, Wiener Konzerthaus, Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik, Philharmonie Köln, Barocktage Melk, Wien Modern, and LIGITA Liechtensteiner Gitarrentage. He collaborates extensively with musicians such as David Orlowsky, Janus Rasmussen, Maurice Steger, Avi Avital & Sergio Assolini as well as with ensembles such as Concentus Musicus, Akamus Berlin, Vivid Consort & Company of Music.

His discography spans a wide range of genres, including Early Music (Rhétorique Du Silence 2023), Classical Crossover (Know Thyself 2025 & Alter Ego 2022), and Electronic Music (Wirbel 2023). He not only composes for his instruments and blends acoustic and electronic sound worlds, but numerous composers — including Pia Palme, Arturo Fuentes, Gilad Hochman, Akos Banlaky & Manuel Durão — have written works for him.

David Bergmüller was the first lutenist to win the Franz-Aumann Prize at the H.I.F. Biber Competition for Early Music. The album ALTER EGO, created together with David Orlowsky, was awarded the Opus Klassik 2023.

Born in 1989 in Hall in Tirol, Austria, he began studying the guitar at the age of eight. While still a student at the Tiroler Landeskonservatorium with Stefan Hackl, he discovered the lute. He later studied with Hopkinson Smith and Rolf Lislevand. After completing his studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and the Hochschule für Musik Trossingen, he was appointed one of the youngest music professors at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in 2018. Since 2023, he has been teaching at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna.