Natalia van der Mersch

Natalia van der Mersch is a German-born violinist currently living in Luxembourg, who wins audiences not just with her expressive playing but with her impressive juggling act between music and family life—she’s mom to six children and still manages to sustain a vibrant career as a concert artist. Born Natalia Steurer in Essen, she studied with some of the world’s top violin teachers, including Zakhar Bron in Lübeck and Igor Oistrakh at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels, where she graduated with distinction. Early on, she racked up awards like the Parke Davis-Förderpreis and the Aalto-Bühnenpreis, and made her orchestral debut with Dvořák’s Violin Concerto alongside the Slowenische Philharmonie.

As a recording artist, van der Mersch has a rich discography that shines a spotlight on the violin’s most beloved repertoire. With pianist Natalia Kovalzon, she records as “Duo Natalia,” notably releasing albums dedicated to Fritz Kreisler’s charming miniatures and Grieg’s romantic sonatas. Collaborating with other pianists, she’s also set down the complete Brahms Violin Sonatas, bringing her full-bodied, passionate sound to these Romantic masterworks. When she’s not on stage or in the studio, van der Mersch is driving her crew of six around town, turning family chaos into musical inspiration—all while keeping her love for music at the heart of everything she does.