Luis Esnaola

“At my first concert with the Berliner Philharmoniker, which I experienced while I was a student of the Orchestra Academy, I was immediately moved by the unique sound of the orchestra and the absolute dedication of the musicians.”

A native of Madrid, Luis Esnaola grew up in a family where music always played an important role. From childhood, he was particularly fascinated by the violin because of its great expressive capabilities. As a result, he first studied the instrument at the the New England Conservatory under Donald Weilerstein, before continuing his training at the Academy of Music Hanns Eisler Berlin under Antje Weithaas in 2009, where he graduated with a masters in music in 2012.

While still studying, he was offered a place at the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Orchestra Academy where he became a student of Christophe Horak. His time at the Academy made a great impression on him, Esnaola says, discovering not only the special nature of the orchestra’s music making, but also the qualities that make a top musician: Absolute dedication and commitment to the music and a high level of motivation. He received further inspiration from master classes with, among others, Dorothy DeLay, Itzhak Perlman, Rainer Kussmaul and Christian Tetzlaff.

A winner of a range of competitions, he gained orchestral experience as section leader of the second violins in the Tonhalle-Orchestra Zurich in addition to his time with the Berliner Philharmoniker. In September 2016, he joined the first violin section of the Berliner Philharmoniker. Moreover, Luis Esnaola is also active as a chamber musician and soloist. In his spare time he is interested in football, going to the cinema and travelling.