Prof. Dr. Clemens Hellsberg

Born in Linz, after attending the Schottengymnasium in Vienna, Hellsberg studied musicology and ancient history at the University of Vienna, where he received his doctorate in 1980. At the same time he studied violin at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. In 1976 he was employed by the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera, and from 1978 played as first violinist in the orchestra of the same opera house. The Philharmonic recorded him in 1980. From 1997 to 2014 he was a member of the board directors of the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

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Curriculum Vitae

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1956 first violin lessons with father Prof. Dr. Eugen Hellsberg;

1970 Graduation at the Schotten Highschool in Vienna

1970/71 military service in the Austrian army

1971 studies by o. Prof. Eduard Melkus

1971-1975 Studies in Musicology, minor in Ancient History at the University of Vienna

1975 Studies by Prof. Alfred Staar

1976 Engagement in the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera (2nd violin)

1978 Principal violinist of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra

1980 Admission to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

2016 Retirement

1993-2017 Member of the Vienna Hofmusikkapelle

1980 Doctorate in musicology (Dr. phil.)

1980-1997 Archivist of the Historical Archive of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

1990-1993, 1996-1997 Vice Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

1997-2014 Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

 

Honours 

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1999: Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great

1999 Cross of Commander of the Order of Merit Melitense

2002: Professional title Professor

2004 Ordinul "Meritul Cultural" (Romania)

2006 Ring of Honor of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

2009 Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art I. Class

2011: Medal of Honor of the Province of Salzburg

2012: Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal of the Jewish Community of Vienna

2013: Golden Medal for Services to the Province of Vienna

2014 Grand Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit Pro Merito Melitensi

2014 Order of the Rising Sun on Neck Ribbon, Golden Rays (Japan)

2014 Cup of Honor of the Province of Salzburg

2015 Silver Mozart Medal of the International Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg

2015 Coat of arms medal in gold of the city of Salzburg

2015 Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (France)

2015 Festival pin with ruby (Salzburg)

 

Publications and activities

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Since 1985 musicological publications, mostly in the Musikblättern of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, in various journals and record supplements; numerous lectures in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

1992 Publication of the book "Democracy of Kings. The History of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra" (Swiss publishing house * Schott * Kremayr & Scheriau) (French translation: 1993; Japanese translation: 1994)

2015 Together with Univ.-Prof. DDr. Oliver Rathkolb editor of Fritz Kreisler: "Trotz des Tosens der Kanone. Front Report of a Virtuoso" (Verlag Braumüller).

2015 Publication of the book "Philharmonic Encounters. The World of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra as a Mosaic" (Verlag Braumüller).

2016 Publication of the book "Philharmonic Encounters II. The World of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra as a Mosaic" (Braumüller Publishers).

2017 Publication of the book "A Happy Symbiosis. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Salzburg Festival" (Residenz Verlag).

Since 2016 Chairman of the jury at the CARSA competition (Vienna).

Since 2017 artistic director of the festival "Swiss Alps Classics"

Since 2019 Artistic Advisor of the "Prague Spring" Festival

2019 Juror at the 3rd Lang Lang Shenzhen Futian International Piano Festival

Since 2019 Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the University Council of the Music and Art Private University of the City of Vienna GmbH