KURT HESS
Kurt Hess, born in Olten, Switzerland in 1952, began his musical career by studying at the Lucerne Conservatory under Esther Nyffenegger and Rudolf Baumgartner in 1969. After completing his studies with a teaching diploma ‘with distinction’ in 1972, Hess received a scholarship from the North Carolina School of the Arts and support from the Rotary Club of Olten.
His academic career continued in 1973 at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, with Prof. T. Tsutsumi. The following year, Hess received another Migros scholarship to attend a master class with Pierre Fournier in Zurich and with the Guarneri Quartet in Cleveland, USA.
In 1975, Hess won the Werkjahr-Preis of the Canton of Solothurn and moved to Indiana University, Bloomington, USA, to study with Prof. Janos Starker, completing his course with an ‘Artist Diploma’ with the highest distinction.
Hess' concert career took off in 1977 with a performance as soloist with the Festival Strings Lucerne at the summer residence of French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Years of intense teaching and concert activity followed, including a tenure as professor of cello at the University of Adelaide from 1978 to 1987, numerous international tours and radio recordings.
Hess ha tenuto concerti in luoghi prestigiosi come il Teatro Colón a Buenos Aires, ha collaborato con artisti di calibro mondiale e ha continuato a ottenere riconoscimenti per il suo lavoro, incluso il plauso del rinomato violoncellista Janos Starker per le sue interpretazioni delle suite di Bach registrate nel 2002.
In addition to his performing career, Hess devoted much of his time to teaching, promoting chamber music through the foundation of the ‘Musica Beromünster’ festival and scientific research on historical instruments.
Continuing to perform and record, Hess' career has been marked by his passion for music, music education and historical research, making him a prominent figure in the classical music scene.