Christoph Hammer
The German pianist early started learning to play the piano, organ, violin and viola. He subsequently studied organ at the Academy of Music and Theater in Munich (Hochschule für Musik und Theater), also attending courses and workshops with renowned specialists for historic keyboard instruments. In addition, he studied German Literature and Musicology at the Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich and at UCLA.
Since 1989, Hammer has focused on playing historical keyboard instruments, especially the Hammerklavier / fortepiano. He has achieved an international reputation as a soloist and Lied accompanist as well as in chamber music. Numerous recordings document his success. In addition to the established concert repertoire, Hammer dedicates his time to the rediscovery of little-known composers as well as researching and editing their works. From 2002-2008 he was teaching an oratorio class at the Academy of Music and Theater in Munich. 2009 he was appointed as an associate professor for harpsichord and fortepiano at the University of North Texas. Christoph Hammer has been invited to teach master classes at numerous important institutions such as Czech State Music Academy (Prague), Tchaikovsky Conservatory (Moskau), State Music Academy (Minsk) and others. He performed at numerous international festivals such as Mozart-Festival Wuerzburg, Festival de piano Roques d’Antheron, Festwochen für Alte Musik Innsbruck, Tage Alter Musik Herne, La folles journee Nantes, Tonhalle Zuerich, Konzerthaus Wien, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Munich State Opera Festival, Beethovenhaus Bonn and others. Christoph Hammer has played as a soloist with orchestras such as Concerto Cologne, Nederlands Kammerorchest, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra a.o.
Christoph Hammer has founded and directed the Munich-based baroque orchestra „Neue Hofkapelle München“ since 1996 and is increasingly being engaged as a conductor. In 2003, he founded the „Residenzwoche München“, acting as the festival’s artistic director. Christoph Hammer also worked with lots of renowned Orchestras as „Badische Staatskapelle“, „Munich Symphonic Orchestra“, „Bruckner-Orchester Linz“ , „Bremer Philharmonisches Orchester“ and others. Hammer conducted Opera and Oratorio Productions by Monteverdi, Haendel, Carissimi, Cavalli, Steffani, Purcell, Conti, Keiser, Telemann, Ferrandini, Marcello, Leo and Mozart.
