Born: Germany

The German organist and harpsichordist, Christian Rieger, received his first piano lesson with Maria Bergmann, Baden-Baden, in order to subsequently commence a course of study in church music at the Karlsruhe University of Music. Two successively awarded scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service enabled him to intensify his schooling at the Music Academy in Basel. There, at the department of ancient music over the course of several years, he gained formative impressions, in particular via Jean-Claude Zehnder (organ) and Andreas Staier (harpsichord).

While still a student, Christian Rieger began a diverse career as organist, harpsichordist, and chamber musician. Following initial successes on the competitive and concert stage as well as a one year intermezzo as theatre coach, he gave concerts for six years as soloist and basso continuo player with Musica Antiqua Köln. At the same time he was immersed in activities with the solo repertoire for “Clavier”, and these formed the quintessence of his artistic efforts. Hence he has since concentrated on harpsichord, piano, piano forte and organ in equal measure and is a guest at festivals in cities such as Lisbon, Madrid, La Roque d’Anthéron, Copenhagen, Nantes and Istanbul. He was a winner at the International Organ Competition Johann Sebastian Bach in Lucerne and participated in numerous concerts and radio recordings. Since 1998, he has primarily been engaged in a career as a solo harpsichordist.

Christian Rieger has taught the harpsichord class at the Musikhochschule Detmold, at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and the “Hanns Eisler” Academy of Music in Berlin. In addition, he leads courses in Historical Performance Practice at the Hochschule für Musik Rheinland-Pfalz. Since 2004 he has been teaching at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen as professor for historic keyboard instruments and ensemble direction.

Source: Johannes Guttenberg Universität Mainz Website; Internationale Händel-Akademie Karlsruhe Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (January 2007)

Christian Rieger: Short Biography | Recordings of Non-Vocal Works
Reviews of Non-Vocal Recordings: Bach or not Bach?

Links to other Sites

Singing Summer: Christian Rieger (Johannes Guttenberg Universität Mainz)
Internationale Händel-Akademie Karlsruhe: Lecturers

Rieger, Christian (Folkwang Hochschule) [German]

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