Technopolis 20 Classics is proud to present the esteemed Heinz Holliger Trio in a unique, one-time-only concert at the Markideio Theatre in Paphos on the 3rd of October 2025, at 8:00pm.
Heinz Holliger, a towering figure in the world of contemporary music, is a Swiss world-known and one of the most famous oboist, composer, and conductor whose works have left an indelible mark on both classical and modern music. Renowned for his virtuosic oboe playing and innovative compositions, Holliger has shaped the contemporary music landscape, with his compositions being performed by leading ensembles around the world. His collaborations with top-tier musicians have earned him widespread acclaim, and his vast catalogue of works spans a range of genres from orchestral to chamber music, always challenging traditional forms and exploring new expressive possibilities.
Holliger’s partnership with cellist Anita Leuzinger and pianist Anton Kernjak began years ago at a Swiss festival showcasing Holliger’s landmark composition Romancendres. This masterpiece, which takes inspiration from the memory of Clara and Robert Schumann, has become one of Holliger’s most important and groundbreaking works. Since that fateful meeting, the trio has performed together extensively across Europe, forging a strong musical bond that is reflected in their captivating and profound performances. Their collective artistry was captured in a critically acclaimed CD release, further cementing their reputation as one of the most dynamic and unique chamber ensembles today.
The concert programme will feature a rich selection of chamber works, starting with Robert Schumann’s Six Canonic Studies, Op. 56 (1845), arranged by Theodor Kirchner in 1888 for oboe, cello, and piano. This will be followed by Schumann’s Five Pieces in Folk Style, Op. 102 (1849), for cello and piano, known for their lyrical charm and folk-inspired character. The evening continues with Holliger’s evocative Romancendres (2003), a two-movement work for cello and piano, inspired by the memory of Clara and Robert Schumann, as mentioned before.
Next, two expressive works for oboe and piano by Olivier Messiaen will take the stage: Vocalise-Étude (1935) and Morceau de lecture à vue (Sight-Reading Piece, 1942). These works are known for their deep emotional resonance and technical complexity. Maurice Ravel’s Pièce en forme de Habanera (1907), originally written as a vocalise, and Kaddish (1914) from Deux mélodies hébraïques, both in versions for oboe and piano, bring a French impressionistic and spiritual touch to the programme.
The concert will also include Holliger’s poignant Alèh Stavì (2019), a solo cello piece written in memory of Eliška and Gideon Klein. The evening will conclude with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Trio in B-flat major, Op. 11, known as the “Gassenhauer Trio” (1797), presented in a version for oboe, cello, and piano.
This concert promises to be an unforgettable musical journey, highlighting the exceptional talents of the Heinz Holliger Trio and offering a wide range of works that span from the 19th century to contemporary compositions. Holliger’s unparalleled ability to blend tradition with innovation will undoubtedly make this an evening of profound musical discovery.
Tickets are available for purchase through Technopolis 20’s official website and at the Markideio Theatre box office. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Heinz Holliger, one of the world’s greatest living musicians, alongside his talented collaborators, live in Paphos for one night only!
Entrance: 25 euro / 10 euro (under 18)
Tickets available online: www.technopolis20.com
Information: 70002420
Supporter: Paphos Municipality
Sponsor: Foto Larko
Hospitality Sponsor: Coral Beach Hotel
A few words about the musicians
Heinz Holliger
Heinz Holliger is among the most versatile and extraordinary musical personalities of our time. After taking first prizes in the international competitions in Geneva and Munich, he began an incomparable international career that has taken him to the great musical centres on five continents. Exploring both composition and performance, he has extended the technical possibilities of his instrument while deeply committing himself to contemporary music. Some of the most important composers of the present day have dedicated works to Mr. Holliger.
Heinz Holliger’s many honours and prizes include the Composer’s Prize from the Swiss Musician’s Association, the City of Copenhagen’s Léonie Sonning Prize, the Art Prize of the City of Basel, the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize, the City of Frankfurt’s Music Prize, the Abbiati Prize at the Venice Biennale, honorary doctorates from the University of Zürich and the University of Basel, the Zürich Festival Prize and the Rheingau Music Prize. In 2015, he was awarded the Grand Prix Suisse de Musique. In 2016, he was elected Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2017, he received the Schumann Prize of the city of Zwickau and in 2022, the Schumann Award of the Akademie der Wissenschaften in Mainz, Germany. His recordings were awarded the Diapason d’Or, the Midem Classical Award, the Edison Award, the Grand Prix du Disque, among others.
As a conductor, Heinz Holliger has worked with leading orchestras and ensembles worldwide. As a composer, he is in high demand all over the world. His works are published exclusively by Schott Music International. His opera on Robert Walser’s “Schneewittchen” at the Zürich Opera House received great international attention. Other major works are the Scardanelli Cycle and the Violin Concerto. Among the composer’s later works are nicht Ichts – nicht Nichts for vocal ensemble a cappella (2010), Lunea, for baritone and ensemble (2010-13), Janus, double concerto for violin, viola and small orchestra (2011/12), hölle himmel for vocal ensemble a cappella (2011/12), Increschantüm for soprano and string quartet (2014) and Dämmerlicht for soprano and orchestra (2015). His new opera Lunea was produced in 2018 at the Zurich Opera.
Heinz Holliger’s numerous recordings as an oboist, conductor, and composer are available on Teldec, Philips, ECM, SWR/Hänssler and Audite. As a conductor, he has recorded a series of five volumes featuring the works of Charles Koechlin for the SWR/Hänssler label. Of these, the recording with soprano Juliane Banse was awarded the Midem Classical 2006 Award and the 2006 Prize from Echo Classics. The recording of “Les Bandar-Log”/”Offrande musicale sur le nom de BACH” was the only symphonic recording to be awarded the highly coveted Grand Prix du Disque in 2009. Other recordings include Mendelssohn’s symphonies no 3 and 4 with the orchestra of the Musikkollegium Winterthur; the complete symphonic works by Robert Schumann with the WDR-Sinfonieorchester Cologne (Audite); Schoeck’s “Elegie” with Christian Gerhaher and the Basel Chamber Orchestra (Sony); as well as the complete Schubert symphonies with the Basel Chamber Orchestra (Sony). The unique box CD «Bernd Alois Zimmermann – Recomposed» featuring orchestrations by Bernd Alois Zimmermann of works by different composers with the WDR Sinfonieorchester Cologne (WERGO) recently received two of the most prestigious French recording awards (Diapason d’Or and Choc de Classica), as well as the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik. A recording of works by Webern and Schönberg with the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (Fuga libera) was awarded the CHOC de l’Année des Magazins Classica 2022, as well as the Premio Abbiati della Critica discografica for the best recording of the year 2021. Heinz Holliger’s own opera “Lunea” was released by ECM in 2022.
Anton Kernjak
Anton Kernjak grew up in an Austrian family of Slovenian background.
An accomplished chamber musician, he has performed with different partners throughout Europe, in Canada, the USA and Japan, at venues including Tonhalle Zurich, Konzerthaus Berlin, WDR Cologne, Teatro la Fenice, Venice, Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo, Wigmore Hall, London, and Carnegie Hall, New York.
Anton Kernjak regularly performs with cellist Anita Leuzinger in a duo that was founded a number of years ago. Another important focus of his career is his collaboration with Swiss composers Roland Moser, Jürg Wyttenbach and Heinz Holliger. His work with Heinz Holliger in particular includes performances, as well as radio and CD recordings, of a variety of duo and trio repertoire.
Anton Kernjak holds a chamber music professorship at the Basel Musikhochschule, where he has been teaching since 2009.
He studied with Christoph Lieske, Rudolf Buchbinder, Gérard Wyss and, for many years, with the famous Hungarian teacher Ferenc Rados. He also attended masterclasses with Alexander Satz and György Kurtág.
Anita Leuzinger
Anita Leuzinger was born in 1982 near Zurich and began to play the cello at the age of five. She studied with Thomas Grossenbacher in Zurich and later with Thomas Demenga in Basel, where she completed her masters with distinction in 2007. During her studies she received important input from György Kurtág, Miklós Perényi and Steven Isserlis, among others. She was influenced most by the Hungarian pianist Ferenc Rados, who showed her a completely new approach to music.
In 2008, she won first prize at the Naumburg Competition in New York. This lead to her debut recital at Carnegie Hall in October 2009, followed by a number of other engagements.
At age 23, when she was still a student, Anita Leuzinger won the position of principal cellist with the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra. Her part-time position there enables her to get to know the symphonic repertoire with one of Switzerland’s top orchestras, while devoting herself intensely to her solo activities and her passion for chamber music.
For six years now she has performed regularly with pianist Anton Kernjak, giving concerts in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, USA and Switzerland. She also works regularly with Heinz Holliger, with whom she has played the Lutoslawski concerto at the Salzburg Festival; they also gave a series of chamber music concerts in Japan.
Her concert activities have taken Anita Leuzinger to various festivals in Switzerland and abroad. She has performed at the Lucerne Music Festival, the Davos Music Festival, the Sommets Musicaux at Gstaad and the IMS Open Chamber Music Festival, England, to name but a few.
Early on she gained experience as a soloist, notably playing Shostakovich concerto no. 1 on a tour of the US in 2000. She also performed as a soloist with orchestras such as the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra under David Zinman, the Basel Symphony Orchestra, the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Zagreb Soloists and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana under Heinz Holliger.
In 2008, Anita Leuzinger became assistant cello professor to Thomas Demenga at the Musikhochschule Basel. She plays a cello made by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in 1752.
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