Birth

:

June 8, 1937

Death

:

January 21, 2014

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Ursula Holliger is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a harpist, pianist, and conductor. Born on October 21, 1937, in Basel, Switzerland, Ursula showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Her father, Walter Holliger, was a well-known musicologist and conductor, and her mother, Margareta Holliger, was a pianist and music teacher. Growing up in a musical family, Ursula was exposed to a wide range of music genres and developed a deep appreciation for classical music. Ursula's talent as a musician was evident from an early age, and she began studying the harp at the age of 14. She went on to study at the Basel Conservatory, where she received her diploma in harp performance in 1957. She continued her studies at the Paris Conservatory, where she studied with renowned harpist Lily Laskine. Ursula's dedication to her craft and her exceptional talent led to her winning several prestigious awards, including the Geneva International Music Competition in 1959 and the Munich International Music Competition in 1960. After completing her studies, Ursula began her career as a harpist, performing with several orchestras and ensembles in Europe and the United States. She quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented and versatile harpists of her generation, and her performances were praised for their technical brilliance and musical sensitivity. Ursula's repertoire included works by some of the greatest composers of all time, including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Debussy. In addition to her work as a harpist, Ursula also began conducting in the 1970s. She studied conducting with Pierre Boulez and became the first woman to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1977. Ursula's conducting career took off, and she went on to conduct several other major orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic. One of Ursula's most significant contributions to the world of music was her work as a champion of contemporary music. She was a close collaborator of several contemporary composers, including her husband, Heinz Holliger, and she premiered many of their works. Ursula's commitment to contemporary music was recognized with several awards, including the Paul Sacher Foundation Prize in 1995. Throughout her career, Ursula remained dedicated to teaching and mentoring young musicians. She taught at several music schools and conservatories, including the Basel Conservatory, the Lucerne Conservatory, and the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg. Ursula's students went on to have successful careers as musicians, and many of them credit her with inspiring them to pursue their passion for music. Ursula's legacy as a musician and conductor is significant, and her contributions to the world of music have been recognized with several awards and honors. She was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1996 and the Swiss Grand Prix Music in 2003. Ursula's recordings have also received critical acclaim, and she has won several awards for her recordings of works by Bach, Mozart, and Debussy. In conclusion, Ursula Holliger is a remarkable musician and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Her exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to contemporary music have made her one of the most respected and admired musicians of her generation.

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