Swiss music maestro turns 70
The renowned Swiss oboist, composer and conductor Heinz Holliger is celebrating his 70th birthday on May 21.
Holliger has a large classical repertoire, but also promotes works by living composers, as well as other music of the 20th century.
“My entire relation to music is such that I always try to go to the limits,” Holliger once said.
Holliger was born in Langenthal, near the Swiss capital Bern, and studied music in Bern and Basel.
He then joined the Basel Symphony and Chamber Orchestra as principal oboe and continued his composition studies with Pierre Boulez, whom he considers to be one of his greatest musical influences.
At age 20, he was awarded in Geneva the first many important prizes at international competitions.
Holliger, who now lives in Basel, has performed and conducted with major orchestras and at international music festivals. In addition, many of his compositions have been played around the world.
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