clarinetist

Nicolai Pfeffer “presents strong dynamic contrasts, a richness of color, sensitivity, andpassion,” summarized The Clarinet, and DER SPIEGEL recently raved about the “colorful,shimmering clarinet sound of the highly virtuosic player.” Within the younger generation, the“clarinet poet” (La Repubblica) is in demand both domestically and abroad as a soloist,chamber musician, and skilled educator.

In addition to his extensive artistic activities, he is deeply interested in the new editions ofchamber and solo compositions for the clarinet, which, along with his own arrangements,have been published by renowned music publishers such as G. Henle Verlag and Breitkopf &Härtel. Radio, CD, and television recordings, as well as concerts in the major halls ofGermany and Europe, round off his activities as a musician.

In 2018, he made his debut underFabio Luisi during the Festival della Valle d’Itria. Furthermore, he has performed with MarkusStenz, Daniel Spaw, Mario Venzago, and Jonathan Webb. His discography now includesBrahms’ Clarinet Sonatas (Cavi/Deutsche Grammophon), concertos by Mozart and Weber(Novantiqua), as well as other highly acclaimed concert and chamber music recordings.

Nicolai Pfeffer studied, among others, with Ralph Manno at the Cologne University of Music,and with Howard Klug and Alfred Prinz (Indiana University/USA), and is now a sought-aftereducator himself: He currently teaches at leading European institutions such as the CologneUniversity of Music and Dance, the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, and theZurich University of the Arts. Pfeffer is also a welcomed juror at national and internationalclarinet and chamber music competitions. He is the president of the European Clarinet Association.