TOBIAS HAUNHORST
Artistic Director

Teaching languages – German and English, some Italian and French

“The dynamic layers could be felt almost physically. Dance-like sequences, dramatic progressions and Lisztian cascades revealed a pianist who shapes rich nuances in sound like a painter on a canvas. His touch is powerful and round. Structures were never blurred, not even in the most vigorous forte. His playing is a true „ear opener“, which became evident in the metamorphosis of the simple Corelli theme in Rachmaninov’s Variations, combining Baroque Italian forms with rhythms from Russian folklore. Widely spaced sound, rich chords, warm colours – the audience wholeheartedly enjoyed his tempestuous, yet sophisticated playing.“ – Rheinische Post

German pianist Tobias Haunhorst has been a guest in numerous venues including Philharmonie Essen, Tonhalle Düsseldorf, Jahrhunderthalle Bochum, Stadthalle Wuppertal, at the Schleswig-Holstein Festival and Hamburg Elbphilharmonie.

International Concerts have brought him to three continents including cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam (De Doelen), Lisbon (Palácio Nacional de Queluz), London (LSO St Luke’s), as well as Dar Es Salaam, Tampa, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

As a soloist, he regularly performs a with orchestras such as the Bergische Symphoniker, Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, Philharmonie Südwestfalen, Philharmonisches Kammerorchester Wernigerode, Bayer Philharmoniker and the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra.

Tobias has collaborated with the Arch Sinfonia Orchestra for a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto in London's LSO St. Lukes, and performed Schumann’s Piano Concerto with the Cologne Chamber Orchestra under Christoph Poppen.

In autumn term 2023, Tobias will hold the position of deputy professor of piano at the Conservatory of Music in Münster (WWU).

In 2020, Tobias became the founding director of „Music in Resonance“ – Festival and Academy, persuing his strong need to place European music in a global and wholistic context.

His avid interest in chamber music has been reflected in recent performances with cellist Nadège Rochat and violinist Michael Foyle.

First Prize Winner of Città di Stradella and Barletta International Piano Competitions, Tobias is also laureate of numerous German national competitions. He has been the recipient of awards by arteMusica-Stiftung, Sparkasse NRW, MCM-Foundation, Kluth- Stiftung, the Zetland Foundation and the Kathleen Trust, and a scholar of Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.

Tobias received his initial education at Cologne Conservatory, under the tutelage of Prof. Scherrer. Further studies lead him to the London Royal Academy of Music, where he learned under the guidance of Prof. Ian Fountain, as well as Frankfurt and Münster, where he persued advanced studies with Prof. Arnulf von Arnim and Prof. Peter von Wienhardt.

His perspective on the arts has been influenced by conductor Salvador Mas Conde, as well as Aikido-Grandmaster Karl Grunick.

Tobias first solo disk, placing masterpieces by Schubert and Liszt in context with German contemporary composer Stefan Heucke (GWK RECORDS) has been met with highest critical acclaim, including multiple video broadcasts on Italian TV channel ClassicaHD.

Further chamber music publications are shortly being released at GWK RECORDS and Hänssler Classics.