Martina Silvester

Martina Silvester is a chamber musician, orchestral musician, soloist and teacher. She divides her time between Munich and Paris. Just as she combines these two countries, she also brings together her various interests and talents in her projects: music, writing, acting and presenting. The charismatic and versatile flutist is also known for her educational skills and gives masterclasses and workshops worldwide, including at the Miyazawa Academy.

She was classically trained in flute and piccolo at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, where she obtained a Master’s degree in flute under Prof. Henkel-Adorjàn and Prof. N. Schwaabe (Piccolo), as well as a concert diploma in traverso under Prof. Schmidt-Casdorff. She also studied at the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot in Paris, under Prof. Artaud and Prof. Kim, where she obtained a Diplôme Concertiste in flute.

Her passion for and curiosity about other cultures and musical genres drive her to constantly seek out new styles and methods. She also took lessons in tango and improvisations. As an orchestral musician, she has worked with many renowned orchestras in various countries and with distinguished conductors such as Sir Colin Davis, Valery Gergiev, Krzysztof Penderecki, Friedrich Haider, Shlomo Mintz, Pavel Klinichev and Markus Poschner. In addition to her work as orchestral musician, Martina Silvester also enjoys performing as a soloist with various chamber orchestras such as the Munich Bach Orchestra.

Chamber music plays a significant role in her musical career. Together with pianist Susanna Klovsky and bassist Alex Bayer, she founded the Ensemble Clazzic (flute, piano, double bass and percussion). While the ensemble’s music has its roots in classical music, it also engages in playful competition with other styles, such as jazz, seeking new paths from their intersections and differences.

She performs as part of the ‘Duo Naiades’ together with harpist Feodora Johanna Mandel. The two musicians are united by their love of chamber music and their desire to create programs that explore themes such as ‘The World of Pan’ or ‘Between Heaven and Earth’. The duo’s repertoire ranges from medieval music to improvisation and works of Ravi Shankar.

Under the name Leilani, Martina Silvester is reviving the salon culture and bringing musicians together. The programs combine baroque and contemporary music, highlight compositions by women, and feature the classical piano trio with flute. The instrumentations are as diverse as the programs, ranging from flute and piano to flute with strings, and from duos to quartets.

In 2017 Martina Silvester made her Japan debut as a soloist together with the Munich Bach Orchestra and performed in prestigious concert halls such as the “Tokyo Opera City Hall” and the “Izumi Hall Osaka”. Martina Silvester is prizewinner of the 24th “Osaka International Music Competition” in the woodwind category.

“A powerful stage presence is a notable feature of all of Martina’s work as is her desire to touch and move people through music”.

Martina Silvester was a member of the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now! Foundation and has recorded frequently for television, radio and diverse CD projects. She is also regularly invited to festivals such as the Porto Heli Festival in Greece, the “History, Music and Memory Festival” in Israel, and the Querwind Festival in Germany.

Martina Silvester is passionate about creating themed and interdisciplinary programs. In addition to her work as an orchestral and chamber musician, Martina Silvester conceives and presents concerts for children and is active as writer.

Martina Silvester performs on a Miyazawa 14k gold flute.

www.martinasilvester.org