Claas Harders (Viola da gamba, Lirone)

Born: Germany

The German viola da gamba (viol) and lirone-viol player, Claas Harders, began learning viola da gamba at the age of seven from his father. After an ensuing gathering of musical experiences in both youth orchestras and rock-bands (violin and electric bass), Claas decided the viol was to be his instrument. He continued his studies with Jaap ter Linden and Sarah Cunningham at the Akademie für Alte Musik Bremen as well as at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Lyon with Marianne Muller. Further studies with Freek Borstlap, Paolo Pandolfo, Wieland Kuijken, Jordi Savall, Wendy Gillespie, and Ariane Maurette.

In addition to the viola da gamba, Claas Harders is a much sought-after lirone player and has performed in countless Baroque opera productions in Germany and France. He plays regularly with chamber music ensembles throughout Europe and has appeared at festivals such as Ambronay (France), Abu Gosh (Israel), Styriarte (Austria), Barockfest Münster, Musikfest Bremen, and the Festival Oude Muziek (Netherlands).

Source: Klaas Harders Website; Orlando Viols Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (February 2010)

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Links to other Sites

Klaas Harders (Official Website) [German/English]

Oralndo Viols: Biographies