Mathis Rochat
Biography
The viola needs advocates like Mathis Rochat” (The Arts Desk)
Mathis Rochat is a Swiss-french violist who is quickly gaining attention as “one of the most
upcoming and creative violists of his generation” (concerti). As a soloist, Mathis has appeared
with the Geneva Chamber Orchestra, the Camerata Schweiz, the Norddeutsche Philharmonie and
the Khirgize State Orchestra.
Praised for “his rich and subtle viola sound ” and “...a marvelous poetic imaginative power”
(Bachtrack), he takes the freedom to both uncover forgotten original works and add his personal
transcriptions to the viola repertoire.
Applauded by the international press for his recent album releases, L’alto Parnassien and
Rachmaninoff Stories, one of which was hailed as the favorite [album] of the month by Klassik
Radio, described as “convincingly eloquent, poetic and dramatic.” (MusicWeb international) and
“enthralling“ by the BBC Music Magazine. Rochat’s next Album will include classical concerti by
J.G Graun as well as a transcription of a C.P.E Bach Cello concerto featuring the Camerata
Schweiz under Howard Griffiths.
Rochat is a passionate chamber musician who frequently performs across Europe in different
formations. He has appeared as a featured artist at many festivals,
including Schleswig Holstein, Gstaad, Deauville, Prussia Cove and Davos Festivals, as well as
Kronberg’s CMCW and Krzyzowa Music programs. Rochat has collaborated in chamber music
with Fazil Say, Pinchas Zuckermann, Augustin Dumay, Christian Tetzlaff and Lynn Harrel among
others.
Rochat is a devoted teacher, appointed as a professor at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp. He
frequently gives masterclasses across Europe, inspired by his former teachers, including Antoine
Tamestit, Tatjana Masurenko, Lars Anders Tomter and Miguel Da Silva.
