In conversation with Heidi Friedrich (co-author), Albrecht gives a highly personal account of his life describing his extraordinary story from a childhood beset by stuttering to the heights of musical greatness.
His life gains a new direction when, at the age of 10, his authoritarian father gives him an oboe with the edict that he learn to play it. He recounts the obstacles he faced and shows appreciation for those who helped him along the way. Despite his fame, Albrecht has never forgotten the stigma of living with this awful impairment.
His autobiography is testament to the healing power of music and the endurance of the human spirit.
Albrecht Mayer has been principal oboist of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra since 2002 and enjoys a prolific worldwide solo career. Three times winer of the ECHO Klassik Prize, he has also been awarded the Opus Klassik Prize twice. He has made many recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, a number of his CDs having remained in the classic charts for many weeks.
This is an unmissable opportunity to hear Albrecht’s exquisite oboe playing in the UK and Ireland and to hear him talk about his childhood struggles as a stutterer and eventual triumph over adversity. This is a deeply moving story of a man who has experienced the healing power of music and who today embodies it with great charisma.
Heidi Friedrich is a journalist and author. Her articles appear in Spiegel online, Berliner Zeitung and Zeit online amongst others.
REVIEWS
For us musicians there is nothing more important than sound and Albrecht’s sound is simply sublime. As his colleague and friend I loved this ‘backstage’ look into his journey about the trials and tribulations of creating that perfect Albrecht Mayer sound.
Sarah Willis, French horn, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Ever since I first heard him play, I have admired Albrecht Mayer as a great oboist. I am delighted that his thoughts and experiences are now being made available to an English-speaking readership.
Kirill Petrenko, Chief Conductor, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Please contact Brenda Abbott at beabbott@caritatebooks.com if you require a review copy of the book or would be interested in an interview with Albrecht Mayer.
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Brenda Abbott
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