Monica Buckland Hofstetter

Music Director - Ars Cantata Zürich, Switzerland
Artistic Director - University of Dresden, Germany

PRESS ACCLAIM

"Buckland understands how to handle musicians, and takes an unmistakable pleasure in bold, passionate action. The precise and balanced performance in Dvořák's 8th Symphony was pre-eminently the long viola and cello legatos that reflected her interpretation. Buckland enchantingly molded the dynamic developments, often playing sudden contrasts against each other. Cheerfulness and melancholy wrapped round one another. First impressions bode well for Monica Buckland's ability to combine her amazing power with the orchestra's no less sizeable strength."

Sinfonieorchester der TU Dresden: Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Dvořák Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten June 10, 2008

"Under the masterful leadership of Monica Buckland, the Tonhalle Orchestra achieved a rich and colourful sound."

Tages-Anzeiger, May 22, 2004

"Monica Buckalnd possesses a differentiated and expressive technique, and her conducting is analytical and acute. The Tonhalle Orchestra reacts swiftly and subtly, fully responsive to the energy of the conductor."

Der Zürcher Oberländer - May 21, 2004

"My sincere admiration for a performance glowing with inner fire."

NZZ - May 21, 2004

"Antonin Dvořák, Léos Janáček, Bohuslav Martinu, Petr Eben and Josef Bohuslav Foerster … seldom have these pieces, so rarely heard, been performed so convincingly. An hour of celebration for the creators of these works and an all-too-short one for the audience. As usual, many small and apparently trivial details are actually decisive for such a convincing success. There was one fundamental reason - certainly not a detail - for this superb result: the conducting of Monica Buckland. It may appear invidious to pick out someone from the overall concept - but nevertheless, the marked signature, the line, the character, all indicate that the reason for success lay in the hands of conductor Monica Buckland. Her unshowy authority [is] a style of conducting that allows the audience time and space to concentrate entirely on dramaturgy of the pieces."

Domenic Buchli, Bündner Tagblatt, 19 February 2002

"…this semi-staged production [of Purcell's King Arthur] was a rewarding and spectacular performance. Monica Buckland conducted the Chapelle Ancienne and the choir Ars Cantata energetically and with consummate authority. … This was altogether an enormous musical pleasure."

Michael Eidenbenz, Tages-Anzeiger, 28 January 2002

Fremdes Japan Ensemble Theater am Gleis, Winterthur:

"The conductor Monica Buckland piloted the TaG Ensemble safely through the varied depths of this contemporary Japanese music."

Der Landbote 28.11.00

Vivaldi & Telemann, recorder concertos Shostakovich Symphony No. 9 Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonie Zlín:

"The likeable conductor … presented the orchestra not just as a completely reliable accompanist, but also brought out its melodic line and harmonic fullness. … Monica Buckland Hofstetter presented herself not just as a talented conductor who makes orchestral works sound like chamber music, but her performance was particularly convincing when she brought out particular passages [of the Shostakovich] in their various shadings."

DNES 7.2.00

Luzerner Zeitung 11.1.00 Mela Meierhans, Na?:

"Exciting, commited and authoritative music-making."

Alfred Felder, Vision

Mela Meierhans, Na? (UA):

"…the conductor, Monica Buckland Hofstetter - who by the way was exemplary throughout the whole evening, precisely and sensitively mastering the difficult task of conducting…"

Ostschweizer Tagblatt 4.1.00

Fortunat Frölich, missa verde:

"Missa verde was premiered in a committed performance under the supremely" good conducting of Monica Buckland Hofstetter.

Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 29.11.99

Fortunat Frölich, missa verde Premiere: basel sinfonietta, Ars Cantata Zürich, Coramor and Kammerchor Chur:

"A discovery and a great prize for the concert was the musical director, Monica Buckland Hofstetter. This director… is a very good orchestral conductor. Every entry was given, the choir was actively supported, the soloists were able to rely on her. And thus the interpretation of Missa verde also became an experience that will long remain."

Die Südostschweiz, 30.11.99

The Roosevelt Ensemble, NMWA, Washington, D.C.:

"…an elegant and polished performance."

Washington Post, 22.6.99

CD: Alfons Karl Zwicker, Vom Klang der Bilder Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonie Zlín :

"The dynamic conductor Monica Buckland Hofstetter…relies on her extraordinary ability, which rapidly gains respect from even hardened professionals…Her latest CD…demonstrates her thorough understanding of modern music's expressive possibilities."

Blick, 12.4.99

Gioacchino Rossini, Petite messe solennelle Motettenchor Basel :

"…[Monica Buckland Hofstetter] understood how to present the …Petite Messe Solennelle with passion and conviction. Precise entries, the choir's harmonious articulation…gave the necessary strength to the singing and delighted the plentiful audience."

Basler Zeitung, 30.3.99

Gioacchino Rossini, Petite messe solennelle Motettenchor Basel :

"…the carefree nature of the composition was mirrored in her interpretation…it was a pleasure to listen. The invigorating freshness of the overall interpretation was highly welcome, and above all, believable."

BZ, 29.3.99

J. Brahms, Ein deutsches Requiem Ars Cantata Zürich, Motettenchor Basel & Bohuslav Martinu Phiharmonic Zlín:

"…an impressive effect: the conductor led the orchestra in an exciting intensification, fully conveying the drama of the subject and music."

BZ, 17.11.98

Radio-Sinfonieorchester Basel, farewell concert: (Kelterborn and Skrzypczak):

"Monica Buckland Hofstetter was much more impressive. She led the musicians effortlessly, at the same time giving them the support they needed…she and the Radio-Sinfonieorchester achieved an emotionally exciting interpretation, demonstrating above all the poetry of the music."

BZ, 28.6.97

A. Moeschinger, Miracles de l'Enfance Basel Music Academy:

"This very delicate and subtle work requires simplicity and transparency. Under Monica Buckland Hofstetter the performers were able to demonstrate exactly this."

Bastler Zeitung, 11.3.97

R. Strauss, Don Juan Tonhalle Orchestra:

"The energetic dynamism of Monica Buckland Hofstetter was completely convincing…her individual approach to the interpretation was apparent very rapidly, a good testimonial for this conductor."

Muzik + Theater, Tonhalle Forum, November 1996

A.K. Zwicker, Vom Klang der Bilder Bohuslav Martinu Filharmonie Zlín,:

"In the end, Vom Klang der Bilder was produced in close partnership with Monica Buckland Hofstetter, who prepared and led the Bohuslav Martinu Filharmonie Zlin excellently. The orchestra members gave the impression of playing their handwritten parts precisely to the last detail."

Die Ostschweiz, 11.5.96

Bernstein, Chichester Psalms ars cantata zürich, Elisabethenkirche Basel:

"The conductor, Monica Buckland Hofstetter, grasped this piece in an unforced way, naturally and confident of the desired effects…a beautiful mood."

BZ, 23.4.96

H. Suter, Le Laudi KulturFrühling Allschwil:

"The greatest share of the success was earned by musical director Monica Buckland Hofstetter. Her unobtrusive conducting gestures demonstrated both staying power and impressive volume in this mature performance. Her interpretation was without flourishes and apparently effortless: Le Laudi shone without false glitter. The enormous effort has paid off and deserves infinte praise."

Basler Zeitung, 22.5.95

Dvorák, Stabat Mater ars cantata & Stadtorchester Winterthur Tonhalle, Zürich:

"Discipline, rhythmic and dynamic precision and excellent expressive ability… this young conductor, whose future promises success, proved herself this evening not only as a skilled choirmaster, but as a confident orchestral conductor, who led the Winterthurer Stadtorchester in a convincing performance…"

NZZ, 31.5.94

Weill evening Aargauer Kammersolisten Künstlerhaus Boswil:

"What Monica Buckland Hofstetter conjured out of the orchestra was more than worth hearing. This effervescent music was given with such a sensitive interpretation, in all its detail…that this famous suite never became a showy potpourri, but instead a striking work of art."

Aargauer Tagblat, 25.10.94

REPERTOIRE PERFORMED SINCE 1992

ORCHESTRAL WORKS
Bartók	Concerto for Orchestra
Beethoven	Overtures: Fidelio, Prometheus
	Symphonies 2, 6, 7
Benda	Symphony in B flat
Bizet	Symphony 1, Suite, L'Arlesienne
Brahms	Symphony 1, Serenade Op. 16
Aaron Copland	Symphony 3
Corelli	Concerto grosso Op 6 No 4
F. Domazlicky	Suita Danza
Durante	Primo concerto per orchestra d'archi
Dvorák	Symphony 8, Czech Suite
	Serenades Opp. 22 & 44
Elgar	Introduction and Allegro, Serenade
	Overture, Cockaigne
Gade	Noveletter Op. 53
Grieg	Symphony, Holberg Suite
Haydn	Symphonies 83, 93, 94, 103
Fanny Hensel	Overture in C
Holst	St Paul's Suite
Honegger	Symphony 3
Ireland	Concertino Pastorale
Janácek	Suite for Strings
Marcello	Concerto grosso Op. 1 No. 4
Martinu	Partita
Felix Mendelssohn	Symphony 4
Mozart	Symphonies K. 504, 543, 551
Myslivecek	Wind Serenade
Nicolai	Overture: Lustige Weiber
Puccini	Crisantemi
Purcell	Suite, Dioclesian
Rachmaninov	Symphony 2
Richter	Symphony in e minor
Rota	Concerto per archi
Schmelzer	Die Fechtschule
Schoeck	Sommernacht
Schubert	Symphonies 4, 9
Schumann	Overture: Manfred
Shostakovich	Symphony 9
Sibelius	Rakastava
Joh. Strauss I	Radetzky Marsch, Indianer-Galopp
Joh. Strauss II	Overture: Die Fledermaus
	Waltzes: Blue Danube, Wiener Blut,
	Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald, Donauweibchen
	Polkas: Explosions; Donner und Blitzen
Josef Strauss	Polkas: Die Emanzipierte, Eingesendet
Stravinsky	Octet
R. Strauss	Till Eulenspiegel, Don Juan,
	Rosenkavalier Suite Op. 59
Suk	Serenade for Strings, Pohádka
Tchaikovsky	Serenade for Strings
Telemann	Don Quixote, Overture in D
Vivaldi	Concerto grosso Op. 3 No. 11
Wagner	Prelude, Die Meistersinger
Weber	Overture: Oberon
Webern	Symphony Op. 21
Weill	Kleine Dreigroschenmusik
CONCERTANTE WORKS
Bach	Concerto for 2 Violins in d minor
Brahms	Violin concerto
Chausson	Poème
Chopin	Variations sur "Là ci darem la mano"
Domazlicky	Violin concerto 2
Giuliani	Guitar concerto Op. 30
Gordon Jacob	Suite for treble recorder and strings
Liszt	Piano concerto 1
Mahler	Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen,
	Rückert-Lieder
Marcello	Oboe concerto
Martin	6 Monologe aus Jedermann
Martinu	Rhapsody Concerto
Albert Moeschinger	Miracles de l'Enfance
Mozart	Exsultate Jubilate, Violin concerto K.219
Paganini	Violin concerto 1
Poulenc	Organ concerto
Ravel	Tzigane
Rachmaninov	Piano concerto 2
Rodrigo	Concierto de Aranjuez
Saint-Saëns	Violin Concerto 3
Sarasate	Zigeunerweisen
Schumann	Cello concerto, Konzertstück (4 horns)
Tchaikovsky	Piano concerto 1
Telemann	Suite in a minor
Vieuxtemps	Violin concerto 5
Vivaldi	Piccolo concertos RV 443 & 444
Weill	Violin concerto
MAJOR CHORAL WORKS
J.S.Bach	Johannespassion, Magnificat, Motets
Leonard Bernstein	Chichester Psalms
Lili Boulanger	Psaume 24
Brahms	Ein deutsches Requiem
Bruckner	Mass in e minor
Dvorák	Stabat Mater, Mass in D
Fortunat Frölich	Missaverde
Handel	The Messiah, Dixit Dominus,
	Coronation Anthems
Haydn	Harmoniemesse
Honegger	Le roi David
Hans Huber	Aus Goethes west-östlichem Divan
Kodály	Missa Brevis
William Mathias	A May Magnificat
Mendelssohn	Motets: Aus tiefer Not, Hör mein Bitten
Orff	Carmina Burana
Arvo Pärt	Berliner Messe
Poulenc	Gloria, Mass in G
Rossini	Petite Messe Solennelle
Schubert	Mass in G D.167
Schütz	German Magnificat, Psalmen Davids
Stravinsky	Mass
Hermann Suter	Le Laudi
Vaughan Williams	Five Mystical Songs
Vivaldi	Gloria, Magnificat
NEW MUSIC
Deborah Barnekow	Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Felix Baumann	Quintet
Susan Burkey	My Masters' Voices
Caroline Charrière	Trauerfarben und Verklärung
H-C von Dadelsen	Kamel
Roshanne Etezady	Static
Denise Fedeli	Miraggi
Alfred Felder	Vision
Morton Feldman	The viola in my life
Noriko Hisada	Landscape
Ursula Jansveld	Lied der Einsamkeit
Rudolf Kelterborn	Vier Nachtstücke, Sappho-Lieder,
	Gesänge zur Nacht, Erinnerungen an Orpheus,
	Ensemble-bücher II & III
Louisa Lasdun	Fractal, In meinen Träumen…
Andrew Lovett	Octet, Aria d'Arturo
Yoritsune Matsudaira	Katsura
Jost Meier	Mouvement dans l'immobile
Mela Meierhans	Vagabundinnen, Almah, Jingles, Na?
Messiaen	Couleurs de la cité céleste
Ch. Neidhöfer	August Stramm Lieder
Maria Niederberger	Oboe Concerto
Arvo Pärt	Silouans Song, Festina Lente, Summa
Felix Profos	Variationen
Jean-Claude Schlaepfer	Chant de lune
Bettina Skrzypczak	SN 1993 J
Matthias Steinauer	Visionen
Markus Wettstein	Nah-fern/leicht-schwer-leicht
A.K. Zwicker	Vom Klang der Bilder

PERFORMANCES in recent seasons have included:

23 Feb 2001	Filharmonia Sudecka, Walbrzych
Ursula Silea Jansveld-Küenzi	Lied der Einsamkeit
Honegger	Symphon N. 4 "Deliciae Basiliensis"
Mahler	Rückert-Lieder
R. Strauss	Rosenkavalier-Suite Op. 59
9 Feb 2001	Ensemble Theater am Gleis, St. Gallen
Rudolf Kelterborn	Ensemblebuch II
Alfons Karl Zwicker	Tropfen auf Stein (UA)
Rudolf Kelterborn	Ensemblebuch III
14 Jan 2001	Ensemble Theater am Gleis, Winterthur
Jean-Claude Schlaepfer	Chant de lune
25 Nov 2000	Theater am Gleis Ensemble, Winterthur (Switzerland)
Noriko Hisada	Landscape
Yoritsune Matsudaira	Katsura
3 & 5 Nov 1999	ars cantata zürich, La Chappelle Ancienne, Zurich & Horgen
Marcello	Concerto Grosso Op. 1 No. 4
Vivaldi	Magnificat RV. 611
Händel	Dixit Dominus
18 Aug 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
Schumann	Konzertstück for 4 horns
17 Aug 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
Deborah Barnekow	Deep Peace of the Quiet Earth to You
9 Aug 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
Stravinsky	Octet
8 Aug 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado, Family Concert
Mendelssohn	Symphony No. 4 "Italian"
19 Jul 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
Susan Burkey	My masters' voices
29 Jun 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
Roshanne Etezady	Static
27 Jun 2000	Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
Saint-Saëns	Violin Concerto No. 3
20 May 2000	ars cantata zürich
Händel	The Messiah
15 & 16 Apr 2000	ars cantata zürich & Bläsersolisten Aargau, Zurich & Stäfa (Switzerland)
Honegger	King David (original version)
3 Mar 2000	Filharmonia Sudecka, Walbrzych (Poland)
Denise Fedeli	Miraggi
Mozart	Violin Concerto K.219
Rachmaninov	Symphony 2
3 Feb 2000	Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinu, Zlín
F.X. Richter	Symphony in f minor
Vivaldi	Recorder concerto RV 443
Telemann	Suite in a minor
Shostakovich	Symphony 9
31 Dec 1999 / 8 & 14 Jan 2000	Bläsersolisten Aargau, Schloss Wartegg, Rorschacherberg, Aarau, Lucerne
Matthias Steinauer	Vision
Prokofiev	Visions Fugitives
Alfred Felder	Visions
Mela Meierhans	Na? (1st perf.)
27 & 28 Nov 1999	ars cantata zürich, Kammerchor Chur & basel sinfonietta, Zurich & Chur
Fortunat Frölich	Missa verde (1st perf.)
24 Sep 1999	Orchestre de chambre jurassien, Porrentruy
Purcell	Suite, Dioclesian
Elgar	Serenade for Strings
Ireland	Concertino Pastorale
Holst	St. Paul's Suite
20 Jun 1999	Roosevelt Ensemble, Washington, D.C.
New pieces for ensemble by Swiss and American composers, including:
Mela Meierhans	Almah
Maria Niederberger	Oboe Concerto (1st perf.)
Beth Anderson	August Swale
23 & 24 Apr 1999	ars cantata zürich, Bläsersolisten Aargau
Gesualdo	Motets
Stravinsky	Octet
Stravinsky	Mass
Stravinsky	smaller pieces for winds and for choir a cappella
27 & 28 Mar 1999	Motettenchor Region Basel, Peterskirche Basel & Katharinenkirche Laufen
Rossini	Petite Messe Solennelle
19 Mar 1999	Filharmonia Sudecka, Walbrzych, Poland
Bettina Skrzypczak	SN 1993 J
Mahler	Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Honegger	Symphony 3
5 & 12 Feb 1999	Orchestre de chambre jurassien, Moutier & Delémont
Grieg	Holberg Suite
Gade	Noveletten Op. 53
Sibelius	Rakastava
Gordon Jacob	Suite for treble recorder and strings
11 Dec 1998	Music Academy Orchestra, Basel
Brahms	Symphony 1
14 & 15 Nov 1998	ars cantata zürich, Motettenchor Region Basel & Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinu, Predigerkirche Zurich, Martinskirche Basel
Brahms	Ein deutsches Requiem

Conducting Positions Held
1992	Permanent Guest Conductor, Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinu Zlín, Czech Republic
1994	Guest Conductor, Slovak Sinfonietta, Zilina, Filharmonia Sudecka, Walbrzych, Poland
1992	Music Director, ars cantata zürich, Switzerland
1997-99	Music Director, Orchestre de chambre jurassien
1992-99	Conductor of Motettenchor Region Basel, Kammerorchester Collegio
1986-89	Musical Director, Cambridge University Gilbert and Sullivan Society
1983-88	Conductor of Newnham College and Trinity Hall Music Societies, Cambridge, England
Concerts as guest conductor with:
Zürcher Kammerorchester; Radio-Sinfonieorchester Basel; Basler Sinfonieorchester; Stadtorchester Winterthur; Symphonisches Orchester Zürich; Bläsersolisten Aargau; Theater am Gleis; Conservatoire orchestras in Zurich, Bern and Winterthur, Switzerland.
Westbohemian Symphony Orchestra, Mariánské Lázne; Bohemian Chamber Philharmonic, Pardubice; Severoceská Filharmonie, Teplice; Leos Janácek Filharmonie, Ostrava; Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinu, Zlín, Czech Republic;
Slovak Sinfonietta, Zilina, Slovakia;
State Philharmonic, Wroclaw; Filharmonia Sudecka, Walbrzych, Poland;
Divertisment, St Petersburg, Russia.
Roosevelt Ensemble, Washington, D.C.
CD recordings and radio broadcasts in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Competitions and Awards
1994	Prizewinner, Leeds Conductors' Competition
1992 & 1993	First Prize, Schweizerische Tonkünstlerverein Conducting Competition
1990	Tillett Trust award to attend Basel Music Academy
1990	Basel Music Academy Scholarship
1989	Finalist, National Association of Youth Orchestras Conducting Competition
1988	First Sue Williams Bursary
Musical Education
Basel Music Academy (1989-93), Postgraduate Diploma in Conducting (conducting teachers Ralf Weikert, Horst Stein, Lothar Zagrosek, Wilfried Boettcher; composition teacher Rudolf Kelterborn)
Orchestergesellschaft Biel, Stadtorchester Winterthur, Basler Sinfonieorchester, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Basel, International Opera Studio Zurich
Newnham College, Cambridge (1983-87), M.A. Hons in Music (conducting teachers Robin Page and Simon Johnson)
Master Classes
American Academy of Conducting at Aspen, summer 2000 (with David Zinman, Murry Sidlin, Michael Stern and Jorma Panula)
Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, October 1996 (with David Zinman)
Musik-Akademie der Stadt Basel, New Music Workshops (with Witold Lutoslawski, Werner Heider)
Symphonic Workshops 1992, Marienbad and Zlín, Czech Republic (with Kirk Trevor, Zdenek Bílek and Karol Stryja)
Wiener Meisterkurse 1989, Vienna (with Julius Kalmar)
Hereford Summer School 1988, 1989, 1992, Hereford (with Simon Johnson)

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