When Xavier de Maistre takes to the stage, expectations are high. With consummate ease, he is able to elicit sounds from the concert harp that transport the audience into another world with their delicacy and clarity. It is thanks to De Maistre that the harp has not only found its place in the large orchestra, but also on the solo platform.

Born in Toulon in the south of France, de Maistre was sent to the local music school as a child. Apparently it was love at first sight: The harp teacher cast such a spell over the young Xavier that he decided to learn the harp. It soon became apparent that he had an extraordinary talent, but at his parents' request, he studied political science in London and Paris alongside music.

At the age of just over twenty, de Maistre became solo harpist with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, won competitions and was appointed soloist with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1999. As his solo career developed rapidly, he resigned from this position in 2010 and has since performed worldwide as a celebrated soloist.

The focus of the program is on George Frideric Handel's concertos, which still radiate fresh splendour and nobility even after 300 years. These works are framed by Antonín Dvořák's famous string serenade and Robert Schumann's "Pictures from the East". This poem, which wanders into romantic faraway places, has been rediscovered in an arranged version by the Festival Strings Lucerne under the direction of Daniel Dodds. The internationally acclaimed orchestra plays it on its numerous tours and recently produced the CD "Eastbound" with it, which received excellent reviews.
January 19, 2025