There are an enormous number of musicians with more than ordinary talent. These are the standouts, and among them are those who shine even brighter. Such a person is this German hornist, Felix Klieser (b.1991). This man doesn't play the horn in the most conventional way. He not only surpasses many with his exceptionally musical performances as a soloist, there is more. That 'more' transcends everything and overwhelms you with the greatest astonishment.
Unconventional is putting it mildly. Look, a while back I came across a video somewhere of a boy about twelve years old with no arms who cooks like nobody's business. He peels potatoes, puts the pot on the stove, cooks, and does plenty of household and other work to help his mother. He sits on the kitchen counter to do his cooking work. It's like painters without hands who paint with their feet, others who write that way, and so on. And Felix Klieser? He plays his horn in the absence of arms. He settles himself comfortably, takes his horn with one foot and plays the keys virtuously with his toes. It often happens that a lack of one thing is compensated by the remarkable development of something else you wouldn't think possible. The flexibility of the human spirit is proven once again in this talented musician.
He is, certainly in his home country, a celebrated musician, and that is not so much because of his different ability, but above all because of the musical performance itself, although his handicap—which he transformed into an asset—likely plays a role as well. Against his will, he touches the sensitive nerve of the audience and, well, also of myself. What is astounding is his virtuosity, the high, perfect technical level of his playing. You don't expect feet to be so incredibly nimble under such circumstances. Yet it is possible. But above all, what counts for this man is not the unusual aspect—it's his musicality that takes center stage. For consider this: if he were completely unmusical and played the horn this way, it would remain merely a curiosity. Perhaps the cameras would focus on him for this uncommon feat, he would be degraded to what was once displayed at fairgrounds and what, fortunately, belongs entirely to the past. No, Klieser is not a spectacle. He is a true musician who, with great sensitivity, insight into the score, into the composer, into the broader musical field—there is more for the horn than Mozart and Strauss, for example—can express himself. He immerses himself perfectly and knows how to convey this through his interpretation straight to the soul of the listener in a way that only the very greatest can do. It all sounds so self-evident, which it never is, and certainly not in this case…
Mozart Horn Concertos 1 to 11
Let us continue to enjoy the 11 horn concertos by Mozart with Felix Klieser as the incomparable soloist. He performs these exceptionally beautiful concertos by the genius Mozart with the Camerata Salzburg. Enjoy, sing along for it is so inviting…
Mozart Horn Concertos
Felix Klieser – Horn, Camerata Salzburg
Released: 01.03.2019 – label: Berlin Classics
Catalog No.: 0301188BC
Christmas in Gold…
For the Christmas season, his latest CD 'A Golden Christmas' is a real must-have: familiar and lesser-known music, transcriptions of songs and arias from past and present. Let's call it a wholesome 'potpourri' of festive, beautifully performed Christmas music. And if you run a shop or other business where all sorts of Christmas music plays during the holidays? Don't hesitate to let this recording be heard among them.
A Golden Christmas
Released: 10.11.2023 – label: Berlin Classics
Catalog Ref.: 0303074BC
Book "Imagine It Can't Be Done, and Yet Someone Does It"
Felix Klieser was nine (9) years old—a remarkable boy born without arms who suddenly decided to become the world's greatest horn player. You can imagine the skepticism he faced, but... as the saying goes, "persistence pays off," and sure enough, barely 15 years later he was already celebrated as a classical music superstar and has been performing worldwide ever since. It's bizarre that we hear so little about him in our own country.
In the book "Imagine It Can't Be Done, But Someone Does It Anyway" (German only), you'll learn how this armless boy turned his dream into reality. A horn player, and yes, absolutely the best in the world. He overcomes every obstacle—try doing that yourself—with incredible perseverance, courage, and strength that moves mountains and propels him further than anyone else.
The book isn't really about his career as a horn player from the very beginning, but rather about inspiring people and showing that the impossible doesn't exist. That you can achieve great things with limited means, turn the impossible into possible. Whether it's the lack of arms and hands or something else. And isn't he right? Just look at the incredible achievements of disabled athletes in sports. Or think of the nearly forgotten (shame on us!) Flemish author Lieve Moenssens (1939-1968), who lived in an iron lung and wrote books by blinking her eyes.
Felix Klieser gives everyone positive energy through music on one hand and through his words on the other. Dive into what he shares in his book and enjoy his musical achievements. Head over to his website and the shop link for one or more CDs and the book. It's golden advice we're happy to give you.
https://felixklieser.de/lesen-de
Publisher: Econ Verlag
Publication date: August 29, 2024, Language: German, 254 pages
ISBN-10: 3430211182 – ISBN-13: 978-3430211185
Head over to the website of this unique musician and let yourself be amazed, treat yourself, and share it with others.
