As one of the most impressive cellists of his generation, Christian Poltéra’s playing focuses solely on the music: without grand gestures, he reveals the essence of a work. His highly individual tone is a defining feature of his interpretations, which he masterfully adapts to suit specific periods and styles.

The Swiss cellist Christian Poltéra chose the cello at a young age. He began his studies with Nancy Chumachenco and continued them with Boris Pergamenschikov and Heinrich Schiff in Salzburg and Vienna. In 2004, he was awarded the Borletti-Buitoni Award and named a BBC New Generation Artist. As a Rising Star, he was able to perform for audiences in all the major European concert halls two years later.

Invitations from renowned orchestras have taken him all over the world. He has appeared as a guest with, amongst others, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich and the Seoul Philharmonic. His conducting partners have included Riccardo Chailly, Bernard Haitink, John Eliot Gardiner, Philippe Herreweghe, Paavo Järvi and Andris Nelsons.

Alongside his work as a soloist, Christian Poltéra is deeply committed to chamber music. A series of CDs (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Hindemith, Schoenberg) showcase the unique ensemble playing of the Zimmermann Trio, comprising Frank Peter Zimmermann (violin) and Antoine Tamestit (viola). As part of a trio with Esther Hoppe (violin) and Ronald Brautigam (hammered dulcimer/piano), he performs on period or modern instruments in European cities such as Edinburgh, Amsterdam, London and Zurich. In addition, he has performed and continues to perform with colleagues such as Mitsuko Uchida, Isabelle Faust, Lars Vogt, Leif Ove Andsnes, and the Chiaroscuro, Gringolts, Hagen and Belcea Quartets. At the Schwetzingen Festival, he appeared as Artist in Residence in chamber music concerts specially curated for the occasion. He is also a frequent and welcome guest at other major international festivals, such as the Salzburg Festival and the Proms in London.

Christian Poltéra’s highly acclaimed recordings reflect his versatile and extensive repertoire. Among his numerous award-winning CD recordings, released on the BIS label, are the cello concertos by Haydn, Shostakovich, Martinů, Dvořák, Walton, Ligeti, Barber, Dutilleux, Lutosławski, Honegger, Hindemith and Martin. In 2024, an album dedicated to Sergei Prokofiev was released, recorded with Juho Pohjonen and the Sinfonia Lahti under the baton of Anja Bihlmaier, as well as a recording with Ronald Brautigam featuring sonatas by Brahms, for which Poltéra once again received the Diapason d’Or de l’Année that same year.

Seit 2013 ist Christian Poltéra künstlerischer Leiter der Kammermusiktage in der Bergkirche Büsingen. Zudem ist er Professor an der Hochschule Luzern und gibt regelmäßig Meisterkurse.

Er spielt ein Violoncello von Antonio Casini aus dem Jahre 1675 und das legendäre Violoncello Mara 1711 von Antonio Stradivari.