Isabel Ettenauer is thought of as one of the most  dynamic young performers in today's new music scene. Both as a pianist and as a world leading toy piano virtuoso she captures her audiences' hearts. Dedicated to the music of our time she is a champion for living composers.

Since the start of her career, Isabel has been a regular guest at international festivals and concert halls throughout Europe and the USA. Highlights of the last seasons include performances at Wigmore Hall, London (Festival Soundings 2004), the Avignon Festival, the Opéra de Lille (both France 2004), the Uovo Performing Arts Festival in Milano, the Ravello Festival (both Italy 2007 and 2006), the International Gaudeamus Music Week (Amsterdam 2001), the Konzerthaus Vienna (IGNM Musikfest 2007), the Jeunesse Festival 2002 (Geheimnis Musik at Palais Schönburg, Vienna), the Leamington Festival, the Vale of Glamorgan Festival (both UK 2003), the Making New Waves Festival (Budapest 2001), the Inspiracje Festival Szczecin (Poland 2007), the SonoAus Festival (Madrid 2007), the Rialto Theatre Limassol, the Castelliotissa Nicosia (both Cyprus 2008), as well as concerts in New York and Washington (2006). Her London toy piano debut in the BMIC Cutting Edge Series 2002 was selected as pick of the week by several UK newspapers. Isabel was also performer in residence at the Voix Nouvelles composition course in Royaumont (France 2003).

Isabel Ettenauer's unique performances have inspired many composers from all over the world to write new works especially for her. To date, more than 30 new pieces have been created for her project THE JOY OF TOY, including compositions by Henry Brant (USA), Karlheinz Essl (Austria), Bertl Mütter (Austria), Vanessa Lann (the Netherlands/USA), Roderik de Man (the Netherlands), Stephen Montague (UK/USA),  Joe Cutler (UK), Geoff Hannan (UK), Tomi Räisänen (Finland), Rob Smith (USA), Tom Johnson (France/USA) and Evan Johnson (USA). more about THE JOY OF TOY

In June 2006 her debut album THE JOY OF TOY, with nine compositions especially written for Isabel, was awarded the Pasticciopreis of the Austrian Public Radio "Österreich 1".

Beside her numerous solo recitals Isabel has collaborated with artists as diverse as juggler Jérôme Thomas (France), mime Markus Schmid (Switzerland), stage director Richard Brunel (France) and actors of the Jeune Théâtre National (France). She was also doing the toy piano part in the radio play The Long Time Ago Story written by David Sawer and Rose English (broadcast on BBC Radio 3, 2003).

There has been an immense media interest in Isabel Ettenauer's work and her live performances and CD recordings were broadcast by radio and TV stations all over the world.

Isabel is also known as a skilled educator and promoter of new music and has organised very successful concerts with and for children. She gives workshops for kids, composers and performers. more about the education program

Background: Isabel Ettenauer was born in St. Poelten, Lower Austria, in 1972. She received her first musical education at the age of five and began studying piano two years later. After her graduation from school she continued her studies with Noel Flores and Adrian Cox (Vienna) and received a concert diploma with Emmy Henz-Diémand (Switzerland). Subsequently she perfected her skills in London, with Peter Feuchtwanger and Philip Mead. In 1997 Isabel was awarded the Young Artists Prize by the Mayor of St. Poelten for her exceptional musical talent, and in 1999 and 2000 she won scholarships for the Dartington International Summer School (UK) to attend master classes with Joanna MacGregor and Rolf Hind.

last updated: 18 January 2008