ECHO Rising Stars: Mathis Stier

Each side of the bassoon’s multifaceted nature is explored in this recital, from the expressive, virtuoso sonata by Saint-Saëns to Lera Auerbach’s mesmerising I Walk Unseen. The instrument’s sonorities are stretched even further in Heinz Holliger’s three solo pieces and Daniel Schnyder’s energetic sonata, and there is brand new music for solo bassoon and electronics from Icelandic composer Maria Sigfúsdóttir, whose band has toured with Sigur Rós.

Mathis Stier is principal bassoon with the WDR Sinfonieorchester, and was awarded the second prize and coveted Audience Prize at the 2019 ARD Competition. He regularly collaborates with Rie Akamatsu, the duo regularly delighting audiences with their rapport and synchrony.