Heiko Mathias Förster is a German conductor who has served as the chief conductor for several orchestras.
Life and career
Early life: Born in Crivitz, East Germany, in 1966, Förster began piano lessons at age four and was enrolled in the Schwerin Conservatory by age six.
Musical education: He studied conducting, piano, and percussion at the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin.
Brandenburg Theatre: At the age of 23, Förster was appointed principal conductor of the Brandenburg Theatre. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, he became the artistic director of the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra and led it until 1999.
Munich Symphony Orchestra: He served as chief conductor of the Munich Symphony Orchestra from 1999 to 2007.
Neue Philharmonie Westfalen: From 2007 to 2014, he was the General Music Director of the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen.
Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra: In 2014, he became the chief conductor of the Ostrava-based Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra.
Baden-Baden Philharmonic: He was appointed chief conductor of the Baden-Baden Philharmonic in September 2022.
Guest conductor: Förster has performed with many orchestras around the world, including the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Israel Symphony Orchestra.
Notable works and projects
Opera: He has conducted various opera productions, including the world premiere of Isaac Albéniz's opera Merlin at the Gelsenkirchen Opera. He has also worked with renowned opera singers such as José Cura, Angela Gheorghiu, and Rolando Villazón.
Orchestral adaptations: Förster is known for projects that make classical music accessible to a wider audience, such as his orchestral adaptations of Richard Wagner's operas and family concerts like "The Flying Dutchman for Children".
Collaborations: He has collaborated with artists including the German comedian Loriot.