Orchestra and conductor Competition
Brought together exclusively for this occasion, the ClaviCologne Orchestra is a distinguished string ensemble that is comprised of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, and features some of the top professional musicians working today, each of whom is bringing with them a wealth of experience and passion to their performances.
Led by the esteemed Ukrainian conductor Natalia Gonchak, the ensemble thrives under her inspired guidance, with Gonchak’s international perspective and profound musical insight ensuring performances that are both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition.
The ClaviCologne Orchestra is unified by a shared dedication to musical excellence, and a desire to leave an impact on the classical music scene in spite of its relative youth. In pursuit of these goals, the ensemble is proud to be taking on the role of Orchestra-in-Residence at the inaugural ClaviCologne Academy, where it will be accompanying the finalists of the respective competitions, providing them with the perfect musical support to showcase their talents.
Above all, the ensemble is committed to delivering performances of the highest quality, creating unforgettable musical experiences for both audiences and competitors alike.
Nataliya Gonchak
Born in West Ukraine in 1976. She studied in the Special School of Music in Kiev, subsequently she attended superior studies at the University of Performing Arts (VŠMU) of Bratislava, where she obtained the “Magister d’Art” Diploma in piano. In Slovakia she has participated in numerous festivals and collaborated as soloist with the Slovakia State Chamber Orchestra and Cappella Istropolitana. From 2001 she attended refinement studies at the Schola Cantorum in Paris (France) with Maestro Eugen Indjic. At the same time, she studied orchestral conducting at the National Conservatoire in Rueil-Malmaison, obtaining the First Prize Diploma (Gold Medal). In 2006 she obtained, unanimously, the Orchestral Conducting Superior Diploma at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris.
She was assistant of the principal conductor of the Opera de Massy (France) for the 2006/07 season.
In 2009 she specialized in orchestral conducting with Maestro Jorma Panula.
She has conducted several orchestras such as “I Pomeriggi Musicali” of Milan, Abruzzo Symphony orchestra, “Kiev Virtuosi”, some Eastern European orchestras including “Leopolis” of Lviv (Ukraine), the Arad Symphony Orchestra (Romania), the Sliven Symphony Orchestra and the Sofia Festival Orchestra (Bulgaria).
She regularly collaborates as conductor and pianist with internationally renowned soloists such as E. Mogilevsky, I. Monighetti, M. Kliegel, A. Oliva, P. Messina, C. Delangle etc.
In the summer of 2008 in the context of International Festival “Duchi d'Acquaviva” of Atri (Te), she created the Symphony Orchestra “Duchi d’Acquaviva” of which she is director.
In 2017 she has conducted “La Bohème” and in 2019 “Tosca” by G. Puccini in the various theaters of central Italy. In 2023 she has conducted “The Merry Widow” by F. Lehar at the Municipal Theater of Atri, the Marrucino Theater of Chieti and the “F. Fenaroli” Theater of Lanciano.
From 2020 she is a professor at the State Conservatory of Music of Foggia.