It was chamber music that first captured Hila Karni’s imagination, not just a genre, but a language of connection. Born in Tel Aviv, Karni’s path to becoming one of the most expressive and versatile cellists of her generation was shaped early by the intimate dialogue and emotional depth that define the art of ensemble performance.

From the age of twelve, she was already performing in chamber ensembles and touring internationally, an experience that shaped her not only as a musician but as a listener, collaborator, and interpreter of stories told through sound. That early immersion in ensemble playing laid the foundation for a lifelong devotion to chamber music.

 

Her international career took a significant leap forward with her nomination to the prestigious ECHO Rising Stars series, which led to performances at major venues across Europe, including the Kölner Philharmonie, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Bozar Brussels, and the Tonhalle Zürich, as well as Carnegie Hall in New York. She has also appeared at the Berliner Philharmonie and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, where she performed as a soloist with the Hamburger Camerata, of which she is the principal cellist. These performances were met with acclaim for their emotional clarity and communicative depth.

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Her musical studies began in Tel Aviv with Zvi Harel and Uzi Wiesel, whose encouragement helped her cultivate a strong artistic voice from a young age. A profound and enduring influence has been Haim Taub, whose guidance shaped her music-making over many years. His clarity of vision, attention to inner musical logic, and deep understanding of phrasing and structure continue to inform her work to this day.

Karni refined her chamber sensibility under the mentorship of the Alban Berg Quartet, whose influence remains at the core of her artistic identity. She further developed her artistry studying with Bernard Greenhouse in the United States, gaining a deep lyrical approach to chamber music, and later with David Geringas in Germany, who enriched her expressive and technical range.

 

A central part of Karni’s artistic life was her role as a founding member of Trio Mondrian. The ensemble won prestigious competitions including the Trio di Trieste and the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award. Widely praised for its stylistic precision, adventurous programming, and rich ensemble sound, Trio Mondrian deepened Karni’s exploration of the piano trio repertoire, focusing on the major works. They toured internationally, appeared at leading festivals and concert halls across Europe and beyond, and recorded several acclaimed CDs.

Karni was also a member of Trio Lirico, further broadening her chamber music experience and repertoire. In addition, she recorded the Volkmann Cello Concerto, a rarely performed Romantic gem, which received critical acclaim for its warmth, clarity, and expressive depth. She has also recorded several CDs showcasing both classic and contemporary chamber music, reflecting her wide-ranging artistic interests.

 

Her versatility and openness have also led to collaborations beyond the traditional classical sphere, notably with composer and performer Max Richter, whose innovative fusion of classical, electronic, and minimalist music has broadened her musical horizons.

In addition to her chamber music career, Hila Karni collaborates regularly as a cellist with the Galilee Chamber Orchestra, further deepening her connection to orchestral music.

 

Today, chamber music remains the heart of her musical world. In numerous collaborations with prominent ensembles and soloists, Hila Karni brings a rare sensitivity and sense of dialogue to every performance. Her playing thoughtful, vibrant, and emotionally resonant, reflects a lifelong commitment to the shared language of chamber music.

She has appeared at major festivals such as Vorpommer Festival and Schleswig-Holstein, embracing a repertoire that bridges tradition and innovation.

 

For Hila Karni, chamber music is not just a tradition, it is a way of listening, of conversing, and of discovering music as a living, evolving art form.

Believing that chamber music should be nurtured from a young age, she founded the Prelude Concerts series in Berlin, providing young musicians with the invaluable opportunity to perform alongside experienced professionals.

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