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 weetly 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.
