Heinz Holliger has enjoyed a varied career as a creator and performer. As a virtuoso oboist, he has expanded the technique of the instrument itself introducing the use of harmonics, glissandos, chords and new sounds aided by the use of electronics.

Holliger began his studies in Berne and continued in Paris with Pierre Pierlot. Simultaneous with his oboe studies, he began composition lessons with Pierre Boulez.

Holliger won several competition prizes in the early 1960s and for three seasons he was the principal oboist of the Bern orchestra.

From the beginning of his solo career Holliger made recordings with Philips Classics, as a recitalist, concerto performer and in chamber music with his wife, the harpist Ursula Holliger. His composition activities went alongside his work as an oboist in both established repertoire and an impressive list of premieres, mostly works written for his unique gifts by Berio, Henze, Krenek, Martin, Penderecki, Stockhausen and others.

Holliger has also pursued a busy conducting career and he can therefore be called a true Renaissance musician of the 21st century.