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.
Rochat resides in Brussels, having joined the Queen Elizabeth Chapel as “Artist in Residence” in 2018. He is a former Villa Musica fellow and plays a viola by Pierre Vidoudez (1949).