PETER HOLTSLAG

recorder & transverse flute

Born in Amsterdam in 1957, Peter Holtslag studied recorder at the Sweelinck Conservatorium of his native town, graduating ‘cum laude’ in 1980, his leading source of inspiration being Frans Brüggen. From then onwards he has toured worldwide as a recorder and transverse flute player.

A distinguished soloist and chamber musician, playing both "early" and contemporary music, he shared the concert platform with musicians such as Gustav Leonhardt, William Christie, Roy Goodman and ensembles such as The English Concert, The Orchestra of the 18th Century, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, La Fontegara Amsterdam and Trio Noname. He has also recorded for radio stations all over the globe ( ABC Sydney, National Radio USA, WDR Köln, NOS Holland, New Zealand Radio, BBC London etc ). He appeared at major festivals in many of the European cultural capitals including Utrecht, London, Lisbon, Paris, Berlin, Bilbao and Copenhagen.

His numerous CD-recordings on most major labels (such as Hyperion, DGG/Archiv, Harmonia Mundi, Chandos, Aeolus, CPO) have won international acclaim. From 1984 to 1988 Peter taught at the Guildhall School of Music in London and in 1988 he was appointed as professor to both the Royal Academy of Music, London and the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. He was a guest lecturer at the City University London; a guest professor at Academies in Amsterdam, Prague, St.Petersburg, Helsinki, Berlin, Budapest,and Kraków, and held numerous international master classes all over the globe (Hong Kong, Lisbon, Wellington etc.). He teaches at international early music summer courses and is one of the founding members of the Academia de Musica Antiga de Lisboa - an institution holding international early music courses in Portugal. After 25 years of teaching at the Academy in London, he resigned there in 2013, to return regularly as a visiting professor. For his services to music he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy in the same year.

Meanwhile, he continues his teaching activities as a professor in Hamburg. He adores his wife and daughter, and loves to cook and to study in his extensive library (though not simultaneously...).