Flurin Cuonz

Flurin Cuonz was born in Winterthur in 1986. Beginning in 2005, he studied with Thomas Grossenbacher in Zurich, where he earned his teaching diploma with honors in 2009. Three years later, he earned his Master of Performance degree in the class of Clemens Hagen in Salzburg, also with honors. Already during his studies, Flurin won various competition and academic prizes, and after a successful internship with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich (2008–09), he was regularly invited to perform as a guest musician. As an accomplished chamber musician, the Trio Rafale—which he co-founded in 2008—holds special significance for him. The Trio Rafale won first prize at two of the most prestigious chamber music competitions, in Melbourne (2011) and Osaka (2014). This was followed by a busy, worldwide concert schedule that included not only performances in German-speaking countries but also guest appearances in France, England, the Czech Republic, Russia, Japan, Korea, Australia, and Hawaii. In addition to other chamber music projects and solo performances, Flurin Cuonz is a regularly welcomed guest as principal cellist in orchestras such as the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Camerata Salzburg, the Camerata Bern, the Kammerakademie Potsdam, and the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Flurin Cuonz owes a debt of gratitude for valuable inspiration to Eckart Heiligers, Rainer Schmidt, Eberhard Feltz, and many others. Last but not least, he is deeply passionate about and committed to education, particularly teaching chamber music ensembles. Flurin Cuonz has been principal cellist with the Musikkollegium Winterthur and a member of the Winterthurer Streichquartett since February 2025. He plays a cello made by Peter Westermann in 2003.