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<Xavier de Maistre>

Xavier de Maistre began to study harp with 9 years. Like many other famous musicians, all started with love - but in this case not as one would expect the love to his harp. It was rather the love for his former teacher, who offered extra harp lessons. That Xavier has a great talent became apparent quickly so it was no surprise that he started to play for the Vienna Philharmonic at age 25. Before that he played for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra for 3 years and in 1998 Xavier won the first prize of the "USA International Harp Competition¡°, the major harp competition in the world. But since Xavier¢¥s family is not from a traditional harp-playing dynasty they were concerned with a solid education. So Xavier started his study of politics at the „Institut des Sciences Politiques¡° in Paris and spent 1 year in London at the „London School of Economics ", when he finally decided to chosse music over the political studies. For a musician very early, he achieved what all harpists dream of – a position in one of the best orchestras in the world, the Vienna Philharmonic.
However Xavier de Maistre was about to move on. To see this point as the highlight of his career, which would definitely be a great honor for most harpists, as well as for Xavier, but it was also kind of a sad moment to him. He had achieved the ultimate goal of a harpist at age 25. Through his countless appearances and his keen ambition he has always wanted to refute the long-existing bias of the harp - played in the background by angelic women. Thanks to his his quick anticipation, intelligence and tremendous skill, he has played many pieces as a soloist with the harp and delighted thousands of listeners. Finally, he succeeded in establishing the harp as an independent instrument. During his career, many great conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Andre Previn, and Daniele Gatti became interested about him and his passion and asked him to play with them. A long series of concerts followed, convincing the audience that Xavier de Maistre is undoubtedly the master of his instrument. Not for nothing: besides famous conductors, also the most successful singers like Barbara Bonney, Kathleen Battle and Diana Damrau have played with him. Likewise, of course, the long list of world-renowned opera houses which he has already played in: Theatre des Champs Elysees Paris, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Musikverein Vienna, Tokyo Opera City, Lincoln Center New York, Salzburg Festival, La Scala Milan and many more.
No wonder that with Xavier¢¥s enthusiasm and his gift to play there is no end in sight to this success story. Awarded with the Echo Klassik Award 2009 for his album "Nuit d'Etoiles" as "Instrumentalist of the Year" (Sony Music) he reaps the fruits of his labor.
For more than 9 years now Xavier de Maistre has been working as a professor at the Musikhochschule Hamburg and now also teaches at the Julliard School in New York, at the Toho University in Tokyo and in London at Trinity College. After 11 years with the Vienna Philharmonic Xavier is leaving his position in order to devote himself to his international solo career - a step that no harpist has taken before.