Hello! I’m an award-winning cellist, trained at the prestigious Vienna Conservatory, specializing in modern techniques on cello and electric cello, and honored to have performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, all while producing top-tier music in my professional studio.
My journey as a cellist has been marked by remarkable milestones, including performances as a soloist in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Vienna Musikverein. These experiences have allowed me to craft a beautiful cello sound, enriched by extended and virtuoso techniques that make my music truly unique.
In addition to my live performances, I’ve had the privilege to record for acclaimed labels such as Sony Classical, Austrian National Radio, Orlando Records, and Hänssler Classics, among others. My dedication to professionalism extends to my state-of-the-art studio and equipment, ensuring the highest quality recording I can give you the sound you are looking for with real cello, recording my 206 year old italian masterpiece instrument, in my studio, no samples nor virtual instruments. I also play and record on a Camillo cello (Naples, 1937) and NS Design CR5 electric cello.
Services offered:
• improvising, developing ideas
• recording beautiful cello lines from sheet music or audio materials
• using extended techniques and live electronic (Ableton Live)
• writing down sheet music
• composing, arranging and orchestrating strings
• choose between clean stems for mixing or tracks mixed by me
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Ana Topalovic- Ana Topalovic
- Nikola Djoric
- Ana Topalovic
- Nikola Djoric
- Ana Topalovic
- Nikola Djoric
- Ana Topalovic
- Nikola Djoric
- Ana Topalovic
7 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client
Endorse Ana Topalovic- check_circleVerified
Ana is very patient and accommodating. She went out of her way to record cello for me. Her cello sound is beautiful.
Will ask her to record for me with my next project.
Thank you Ana - check_circleVerified
Great intonation and sound! Ana did exactly what i was looking for. thank you!
- check_circleVerified
Ana's playing is top notch! She is a great musician that is both technically excellent and has warmth and character in her playing. She knows exactly what the music needs, even if it is complex, long or has a click track. I am so happy with the result and I hope we can work again on future projects.
- check_circleVerified
Ana is an exceptionally talented and extremely professional musician and recording artist.
She knew right away what to do and what we were looking for. She took our idea and made it so much better! She added the magic we could only dream of. A real pleasure!. We will certainly be back for more.
.. and she is super easy to communicate and work with. - check_circleVerified
Excellent quality, exactly what I asked for. Very talented and easy to work with!!
- check_circleVerified
Ana's recording is beautiful! I could not be happier. And she could not have been more responsive, warm, or professional to work with. She made the project so easy and enjoyable and even finished earlier than expected. And her skill! The piece has such wonderful emotion and movement and tone the way she played it ... it has truly come to life. Anyone would be lucky to have their music played by Ana.
- check_circleVerified
Ana delivered her recording as desired in under the time that was requested and in the correct format that I asked for. That being said the recording was impeccable. She's a true master on the Cello! I'm looking forward to working with her in the future.
Interview with Ana Topalovic
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Alfredo Ovalles - the best pianist! Matei Ioachimescu - the best flutist!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Just send me your song, you will get the most professional, hard working, fair and invested session cellist you ever worked with.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My 2 cellos, Eos AI, DPA mic and iPad Pro.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing piano when I was 6 and cello when I was 9 years old. I went to a very strict music school and music high school were I studied cello and music theory. I studied at the Vienna conservatory, Austria and Music University in Cologne Germany. I hold Master of Arts degree. I perform regularly as a soloist and work on my cross genre projects. I am professor at Richard Wagner Conservatory in Vienna. Since 3 years I have been working in my own studio.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: taking the best thing from classical education, bringing it to the modern audience. fresh, creative, original
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Philip Glass - he is able to express deepest ideas with minimal means.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie Pop, world and folk, classical genres.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Musical creativity, education from best music schools, technical skills, flexibility, strong musical expression
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: From beautiful singing cello lines, virtuosic melodies, great grooves, original ideas...adding to the unique artistic value of your song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I would get to know my clients wishes and preferences, listen to the demos they send me, and then contemplate, brainstorm ideas for a while, until I feel that I am "in the song". Then I would record and edit my ideas. Usually my clients are satisfied with the first version, but I am open to suggestions and changes if my client wishes so.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I worked with some of the best sound technicians to make my setup and the sound I like. In my own studio I have 2 setups: the first one is to capture more natural, acoustic sound of the cello (similar to a smaller concert hall) and the second (a so called music box) for delicate work, dry clean sound meant to be worked on further. Depending on what I am working on, I would switch between these two. I have several DPA and Rode mics and I use Audient iD44 AI. I work in Ableton Live 11, Cubase and Loopy Pro because I have several different workflows.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I grew up with classical music, but I am inspired by many musicians from different genres: Nina Simone, Meredith Monk, Sting, Hiromi, John Williams....
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I usually write and improvise cello lines, and on my NS design cello with 5 strings I also record bass lines. I also write and record strings arrangements, write sheet music, and develop ideas. My specialty is modern playing technique and use of live electronics so I can make virtuosic, modern and unique sounds on my instrument.
I was the cellist in this production
- CelloAverage price - $125 per song
- String ArrangerAverage price - $200 per song
The initial price includes 2 revisions of the recorded takes. After that, a discounted rate per revision will be offered. Turn-around depends on each song.
- Johann Sebastian Bach
- Astor Piazzolla
- Philip Glass
- Italian masterpiece cello by Gagliano from 1815
- NS design CR5 electric cello
- professional studio access
- Ableton Live
Package deals for multiple songs.
- Carnegie Hall - USA tour 2023Jul 04, 2023
As a part of my USA tour, sponsored by the Austrian Ministry of Culture, I performed in several cities in DC, VA and MD with a big highlight in New York where I performed my own music for cello and live electronic in the Carnegie Weil Hall. I am grateful for the wonderful and warmhearted audience! I had such a fantastic time and I came home energised and inspired!
- "Bachiana - a solo cello fantasy" Album coming out in JanuaryDec 10, 2021
My newest solo album will be available from January 7th on all streaming platforms. Recorded for prestigious Hänssler Classic label, this album includes works by Bach, modern women composers and my own music.