Thilo Muster: Bio

Thilo Muster’s playing is exemplary and full of expression

Matthew Power

Choir & Organ

Thilo Muster was born in Germany in 1965. He studied at the Basle Academy of Music (Switzerland) with Peter Efler (piano) and Guy Bovet (organ) and received the Soloist Diploma (organ) in 1992.

He also acknowledges a debt of gratitude to Jordi Savall, Gérard Wyss, the pianist and Marc Loopuyt, the lutenist, who all gave him invaluable help and advice. It was from Marc Loopuyt that Thilo Muster discovered Arabo-Andalusian traditional music and Flamenco.

He also learned a lot from historic instruments all over Europe on which he had the opportunity to give recitals.

Apart from several CD recordings which have been acclaimed by the international critics, Thilo Muster has also made recordings for the Swiss Radio (DRS and RSI) and for the Estonian Radio, these being complemented by a number of television recordings. It was not long before a preference for the rich organ repertoire of the 17th century became evident. However, this in no way detracts from his willingness to explore other domains whenever the opportunities arise. Recently he recorded a CD with music from the Balkans, of Gypsies and Klezmorim with Taragot-player Samuel Freiburghaus.

Thilo Muster is a regular participant at festivals and concerts all over Europe, some of these being Toulouse les Orgues, La Chaise-Dieu, Souvigny, Paris, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Lübeck, Stralsund, Ottobeuren, Wenzelskirche Naumburg, the cathedrals of Dresden, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Berne, Luçon, Auxerre. In addition, he takes part in the international organ recitals in Basle, the Festival of Magadino, the Festival of Deìa/Mallorca, the Festival of Tallinn (with the support of the Pro Helvetia foundation) and the Lausanne Bach Festival.

Thilo Muster is prizewinner of the international Swiss Organ Competition and of the world-renowned Geneva Competition (Concours de Genève). In 1994 he was appointed official organist of Geneva Cathedral, a post he held until 2005. From 1995 to 2003 he has also been the artistic director of the Société des Concerts Spirituels Genève.