Valentin Sollberger was a Swiss-American flutist and composer who made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born on May 14, 1947, in Basel, Switzerland, Sollberger grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a conductor, and his mother was a pianist. From a young age, Sollberger showed a keen interest in music and began playing the flute at the age of nine. Sollberger's early musical education was in Switzerland, where he studied with renowned flutist André Jaunet. He later moved to the United States to continue his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City. There, he studied with Julius Baker, one of the most influential flutists of the 20th century. Sollberger also studied composition with Roger Sessions and Milton Babbitt, two of the most prominent composers of the time. In 1971, Sollberger co-founded the Group for Contemporary Music, a chamber ensemble dedicated to performing and promoting contemporary classical music. The group quickly gained recognition for its innovative programming and performances, and Sollberger became known as one of the leading interpreters of contemporary music. Throughout his career, Sollberger performed with many of the world's leading orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Sinfonietta. He also collaborated with many prominent composers, including Elliott Carter, George Crumb, and Charles Wuorinen. Sollberger was also a prolific composer, with a catalog of over 100 works. His compositions were known for their complexity and experimentation, often incorporating extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation. Some of his most notable works include "The Parable of the Blind," a chamber opera based on a story by Jorge Luis Borges, and "The Sleep of Reason," a work for flute and electronics inspired by the paintings of Francisco Goya. In addition to his performing and composing career, Sollberger was also a respected educator. He taught at the University of California, San Diego, for over 30 years, where he was the founding director of the Center for Music Experiment. He also taught at the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sollberger's contributions to the world of contemporary classical music were widely recognized throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honors, including the Koussevitzky Music Foundation Commission, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award. In 2017, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Flute Association. Valentin Sollberger passed away on January 18, 2020, at the age of 72. His legacy as a performer, composer, and educator continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.

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