Unlike the piano, the violin or even the flute, the oboe is a relatively
rare instrument for a solo career. And when a soloist such as Albrecht
Mayer plays the oboe, one wishes composers had written more works for this
sweetly mellow instrument. Critics write about the "divine spark" that
inspires his playing, and about the "miraculous oboe" that turns into "an
instrument of seduction." With his particularly warm tone and exceptionally
broad palette of nuances, it's no surprise that Albrecht Mayer is one of
today's most sought-after international oboists.
In this documentary portrait of the oboist, we retrace the musician's
impressive career and witness some of its many high points. Mayer embarked
on a professional career in 1990, when he joined the Bamberg Symphony
Orchestra as solo oboist. Two years later, he made the transition to the
absolute top league with his appointment as solo oboist of the Berlin
Philharmonic, and since then he has made countless international
appearances, playing under such eminent conductors as Abbado, Rattle and
Harnoncourt. In addition to his work as a soloist, Mayer also attaches
great importance to chamber music. He is a permanent member of the
Sabine Meyer Wind Ensemble and also plays with such partners as
Thomas Quasthoff, Matthias Goerne and Leif Ove Andsnes.
