Biography

During his studies in his hometown Saarbrück, MANFRED STILTZ received a Scheffel prize for German Literature, as well as International prize for recorder of RFA. To improve his cellist technique, he started his music studies on Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris where he received Premier Prix. Simultaneously he studied chamber music in class of Jean Hubeau, where he also received Premier Prix.  In 1970 he established Trio Ravel as well as continued his postgraduate studies on Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris where he had an opportunity to work with great artists such as: M. Rostropovitch, Y. Menuhin, G. Sebok, etc. Thus, in 1972 with Trio Ravel he won the first prize on International competition in Belgrade. He performed both as a recorder and cello soloist and chamber musician with M. André, E. Berchot, Y. Gitlis, I . Stern, G. Poulet, J.P. Rampal, etc. He performed with great success all over the world, but in New York in particular, where he was one of the few rare musicians who had the opportunity to perform twice on two different instruments in Carnegie Hall. In the last few years he distinguished himself through interpretations of Brahms’ Double Concerto for violin and cello, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for violin, cello and piano, as well as Offenbach’s Cello Concerto and Haydn’s Concerto performed in Army Hall in Sarajevo. Former professor at the École Normale Supérieure de Musique in Paris, Manfred Stilz today teaches cello at CRR de Marseille. It is interesting to mention that in 1983, in Paris, he participated in creation of Sonata for solo cello by György Ligeti with composer himself. In Berlin, in November of 2009, on the occasion of the commemoration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and with Rostropovich present at the event, he played Bach’s Cello Suite for the Wall Museum Checkpoint Charlie.