Information
Facts
Born in Bellaire (OH), USA
Member since 01.09.1996
Biography
Matthew Hunter was 27 when he “discovered” the viola. He was pursuing a career as a violinist, and had devised a special training programme for that instrument: if he could play Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in tune on the larger viola, then – according to his theory – the piece would be “child’s play” for him on the violin. He became so infatuated with the viola’s “dark chocolate” tone that he changed over to the deeper instrument. Shortly after that, he won the Gee International Viola Competition. Hunter, who began music lessons at the age of seven, cites Julian Olevsky, Roman Totenberg (former assistant to Carl Flesch in Berlin), Michael Tree and Jaime Laredo as his formative teachers.
In 1985, he became Masao Kawasaki’s assistant at Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. He also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy at Dartmouth College, as well as a Master of Music and an Artist’s Diploma. Matthew Hunter came to the Berliner Philharmoniker from Ottawa, where from 1991-95 he was associate principal viola of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He is a versatile musician, who also plays the guitar (for example in performances of Mahler’s Seventh Symphony), makes arrangements, and plays in several Philharmonic chamber ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic Stradivari Soloists.
Awards
Citation of Excellence of the University of Massachusetts (1998)
First prize: Gee International Viola Competition (1986)
Ensembles of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Philharmonic Stradivari Soloists Berlin
Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet
Berlin Philharmonic Virtuosi
Brahms Ensemble Berlin
“Becoming an artist is one of humankind’s greatest challenges”
Violist Matthew Hunter in conversation
For nearly 30 years, Matthew Hunter has been a member of the Berliner Philharmoniker, but the American-born violist’s time with the orchestra is almost over. During November’s US tour, which was probably his last as an official member, we spoke with Hunter about his unconventional career, his retirement plans, and – in passing – about philosophy.
Behind the music: Matthew Hunter
Video portrait
Violist Matthew Hunter grew up not far from Boston and attended his most wonderful concert at Boston Symphony Hall when he was only 8 years old. He tells us more about this historic concert hall and also what he would have done if he hadn’t been able to join the Berliner Philharmoniker.
