Jan Snakowski

Viola

 

Jan Snakowski is an internationally acclaimed Polish violist, currently serving as Principal Solo Viola of the Polish National Opera in Warsaw.​

 

He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Academy of Music in Cracow, where he previously earned his master’s degrees with honors in both violin and viola. He also pursued advanced studies at the Haute École de Musique in Lausanne, Switzerland.

 

​After winning First Prize at the 21st International Johannes Brahms Competition in Pörtschach, Austria, he has performed regularly as a soloist with various European orchestras and as a chamber musician alongside renowned artists such as Sol Gabetta and Yuri Bashmet.​

 

Jan is a much sought-after orchestral musician, frequently appearing as guest principal violist with orchestras such as the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Wiener Symphoniker, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, and the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg. He has collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Lorin Maazel, Semyon Bychkov, Manfred Honeck, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Charles Dutoit.​

 

Prior to joining the Polish National Opera in 2022, he served as principal viola with the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana in Lugano and the Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen, and also spent over two years as a member of the 1st Violin section of the Cracow Philharmonic Orchestra.​

 

His teaching activities include leading masterclasses for institutions such as the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, the Orchestra of the Americas Group and Sinfónica Azteca in Mexico, as well as tutoring viola and chamber music classes at the Academy of Music in Cracow. Additionally, Jan has served on the jury of several international competitions, including the Johannes Brahms International Competition.