The German harpsichordist, Gregor Hollmann, studied Catholic church music at the former Kirchenmusikschule des Bistums Münster, and completed his instrumental studies in the subjects of piano and harpsichord and an artistic study of harpsichord at the Staatlichen Hochschule für Musik Westfalen-Lippe. He also studied as a guest at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, in the Musicology Department at the University of Münster, and courses in performance practices with Ton Koopman and Nikolaus Harnoncourt completed his education.
Gregor Hollmann worked for several years as full-time school teacher for piano, harpsichord and music theory. On behalf of the Association of German Music (Verbandes Deutscher Musikschulen), he designed a teaching plan for harpsichord, and developed for the German Music Council (Deutschen Musikrat) the Special Youth Music Competition "Alte Musik".(Early Music). Since 1982 he is a lecturer at the Musikhochschule Münster. Here he was appointed an honorary professor in the summer term in 2008 for his services to early music. Since 1986, Hollmann is a lecturer for harpsichord, basso continuo and chamber music at the Musikakademie Kassel.
Gregor Hollmann professional work for over 25 years is moving between classes and concerts, performance practice and the management of various concert series. The combination and variety of these activities do not modify the basis for his dedicated work as a teacher.
The outstanding artistic work of Gregor Hollmann has been confirmed by many awards, such as the Prize of the German Record Critics (Deutschen Schallplattenkritik) and the Cannes Classical Award. Its focus is the music of J.S. Bach in the environment - the making of his role models and students - as well as the Bach work itself, but also the question of adequate instruments is likewise inseparable. Hollmann is the first harpsichordist who recorded the Bach concerti with a 16th century historical harpsichord.
Some of the important stages of his artistic activities including the Bachfest Leipzig, Bach Festival of Philadelphia, Bachwoche Ansbach, MDR Musiksommer, and the Festivals in Herne, Sopron and Vilnius. He also was a guest with numerous ensembles and orchestras, including the Bamberger Symphoniker and Berliner Philharmoniker.
The artistic work of Gregor Hollmann has been documented on many LP and CD recordings. Many of his concerts in Europe with a wide ranging repertoire from the Reformation to the Piano Quartet of L.v. Beethoven have been broadcast (WDR, SWR, BR, Radio Bremen, Deutschlandfunk, Radio Nacional de España). |