Discover | Xavier de Maistre
Xavier de Maistre
Sun, Nov 10, 2024 at 2:30 PMOpening our Sonic Worlds: The Harp series is French harp virtuoso Xavier de Maistre, renowned for his masterful technique and deeply expressive artistry. Alongside his remarkable solo career, de Maistre has performed with the world’s leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, where he became the first French musician to join the ranks of the institution and served as principal harpist for several years. His musical vision has led him to work with first-class conductors including Sir André Previn, Sir Simon Rattle, Riccardo Muti, Daniele Gatti, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, and Susanna Mälkki.
In his Stanford Live debut on November 10, de Maistre brings his extraordinary artistry to the Bay Area for the first time—a must-see performance. His solo concert will feature works by Pescetti, Tarrega, Falla, Debussy, and more.
De Maistre gained international recognition when he won the prestigious USA International Harp Competition in 1998, which catapulted his career. De Maistre is celebrated for redefining the harp’s role in music, seamlessly blending classical and contemporary repertoire. He has broadened the instrument, commissioning new work from contemporary composers including Krzysztof Penderecki and Kaija Saariaho.
Of course I would love to have 27 concertos by Mozart or five concertos by Beethoven. But it means I always have to be innovative, and always have to find new ideas and to develop my own projects. And this is quite exciting because you have a feeling you can move forward and you can help your instrument too – that you can open new doors for the next generations.
His acclaimed discography features works by composers such as Debussy, De Falla, Ravel, and Smetana. His first album, Nuit d’Etoiles, dedicated to Debussy, won an Echo Klassik Award as Instrumentalist of the Year. Further releases included Hommage à Haydn (2009), Aranjuez (2010), and Notte Veneziana (2012) featuring significant Baroque repertoire.
Since the release of his debut album in 2008, Xavier de Maistre has captivated listeners with his unique ability to transport them to another realm through his thoughtful repertoire choices. His mastery of the harp, combined with his exquisite technique, allows the instrument to become an extension of his musical expression. In his Debussy album, De Maistre embodies the essence of the French musical soul
Patrons that purchase two or more tickets to the featured artist’s Stanford Live performance will be entered in a raffle to win an autographed copy of the artist's latest album. Raffle winners will be announced at the performance.