In this edition of Club9, we talk with violinist Franziska Strohmayr about her extraordinary Kulturbiathlon 2026.

On August 11, she opens her tour at the BachZeit Festival in Mondsee with Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita in D minor, BWV 1004. The following morning, she sets off by bicycle, travelling 1,293 kilometres to the island of Rügen on the Baltic Sea and connecting seven concert locations along the way. All stages between the concerts are completed by bicycle – without trains or cars.

In our conversation, Franziska talks about the idea behind her “Kulturbiathlon – With Violin and Bicycle”, her connection to Bach, and what it means to combine a concert tour with a long-distance cycling journey. We also talk about Mondsee, which has become an important part of her musical home, and her long-standing connection with the BachZeit Festival. We touch upon her life as a professional musician, musicologist and its challenges. We talk about her violin by Antonio Gragnani, made in 1759 and how she takes care of it. We speak about her collaboration with German composer Wilfried Hiller who writes music especially for Franziska.

Franziska Strohmayr performs as a soloist and chamber musician at international festivals. She studied at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and holds a doctorate in musicology.

Throughout the program we listen to the music Franziska picked especially for this Club9 interview: a colourful mix of classical, neo-classical, pop, jazz, austro-pop, and indie music.

Club9 on Freies Radio Salzkammergut – music, conversations and stories around classical and contemporary music.

Tracks played in the program:

Anna Buchegger. Kim Vorbei

Wise Guys. Quäl Dich fit

Gloria Gaynor. I will survive

Bach, JS, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047: I –

DREA. Emilia

Mikk. Heaven

Wilfried Hiller, Franziska Strohmayr. Finissage: III. Toccata bicicletta francescana