Heinz Holliger is one of the most versatile and extraordinary musical personalities of our time. After winning first prizes at the international competitions in Geneva and Munich, he began an unparalleled international career that has taken him to the great musical centers of five continents. Exploring both composition and performance, he has expanded the technical possibilities of his instrument, while also deeply committing himself to contemporary music. Some of today’s most important composers have dedicated works to him.
Heinz Holliger’s numerous recognitions and awards include the Composer’s Prize from the Association of Swiss Musicians, the Léonie Sonning Music Prize of the City of Copenhagen, the Art Prize of the City of Basel, the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, the Music Prize of the City of Frankfurt, the Abbiati Prize from the Venice Biennale, honorary doctorates from the University of Zurich and the University of Basel, the Zurich Festival Prize, and the Rheingau Music Prize. In 2015, he received the Grand Prix Suisse de Musique. In 2016, he was elected a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2017, he received the Schumann Prize from the city of Zwickau, and in 2022, the Schumann Prize from the Akademie der Wissenschaften in Mainz, Germany. His recordings have been awarded the Diapason d’Or, the Midem Classical Award, the Edison Award, and the Grand Prix du Disque, among others.
In his role as conductor, Heinz Holliger has worked with leading orchestras and ensembles around the world. As a composer, his work is in high demand internationally. His compositions are published exclusively by Schott Music International. His opera based on Robert Walser’s “Schneewittchen,” which premiered at the Zurich Opera, received great international attention. Other important works include the Scardanelli Cycle and the Violin Concerto. His most recent works include nicht Ichts – nicht Nichts for a cappella vocal ensemble (2010), Lunea for baritone and ensemble (2010/13), Janus, double concerto for violin, viola, and small orchestra (2011/12), hölle himmel for a cappella vocal ensemble (2011/12), Increschantüm for soprano and string quartet (2014), and Dämmerlicht for soprano and orchestra (2015). His new opera Lunea was produced in 2018 at the Zurich Opera.
Heinz Holliger’s numerous recordings as an oboist, conductor, and composer are available on Teldec, Philips, ECM, SWR/Hänssler, and Audite. As a conductor, he has recorded a five-volume series of Charles Koechlin’s works for the SWR/Hänssler label. Of these, the recording with soprano Juliane Banse was awarded the Midem Classical 2006 Award and the Echo Classics 2006 Award. The recording of Les Bandar-Log/Offrande musicale sur le nom de BACH was the only symphonic recording to receive the coveted Grand Prix du Disque in 2009. Other recordings include Mendelssohn’s Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 with the Orchestra of the Musikkollegium Winterthur; the complete symphonic works of Robert Schumann with the WDR-Sinfonieorchester of Cologne (Audite); Schoeck’s Elegie with Christian Gerhaher and the Basel Chamber Orchestra (Sony); as well as the complete Schubert symphonies with the Basel Chamber Orchestra (Sony). The unique CD box set Bernd Alois Zimmermann – Recomposed, which features orchestrations by Bernd Alois Zimmermann of works by various composers with the WDR Sinfonieorchester of Cologne (WERGO), recently received two of the most prestigious recording awards in France (Diapason d’Or and Choc de Classica), as well as the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. A recording of works by Webern and Schönberg with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Fuga libera) received the CHOC de l’Année des Magazins Classica 2022, as well as the Premio Abbiati della Critica discografica as best recording of the year 2021. Heinz Holliger’s own opera called Lunea was released by ECM in 2022.