Heidrun Wirth-Metzler is internationally active both as a modern and historical bassoonist, as a soloist, in ensembles and symphonic orchestra. As of 2021, she is professor of bassoon at the Stella Vorarlberg Private University of Music in Vorarlberg, and an initiator of the concert series Klang & Raum.
After her term in the orchestra academy of the Munich Philharmonic (2008-2010), she was appointed principal bassoon of the Bern Symphony Orchestra (2010-2022). In addition, Heidrun Wirth-Metzler has been a member of the Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra since the age of 14, where she later participated as principal bassoon in the series Mahler 9×9 under the baton of Kirill Petrenko.
Besides this, she plays regularly as principal bassoon with the following orchestras: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (OCL), Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich, Munich Philharmonic, Camerata Bern and Basel Chamber Orchestra. She received valuable musical impulses from her collaboration with musicians such as Zubin Mehta, Kirill Petrenko, Heinz Holliger, Daniel Harding, Mirga Gražinyté-Tyla and Ton Koopman. As a historic bassoonist she plays with Concentus Musicus Wien and Les Passions de l’Âme, among others.
Through her work with period instrument ensembles, Heidrun Wirth-Metzler believes in the importance of creating authentic performances with the corresponding period instrument. As a result, her attention to contemporary music has intensified, leading to frequent collaboration with composers, as the dedication of new works to her – and her premiere performances – will testify.
Her concert activities as a soloist have taken Heidrun Wirth-Metzler to the Goldenen Saal in Wiener Musikverein and in the Wiener Konzerthaus, among others, with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Bern Symphony Orchestra, Wiener Jeunesse Orchestra, Webern Symphony Orchestra Vienna, Vorarlberg Symphony Orchestra and the Niigata Symphony Orchestra.
Heidrun Wirth-Metzler has won first place in the national and regional competition Prima la Musica 16 times. In 2003 she won first prize at the EMCYEuropean music competition.
In 2004 she won the Great Gradus ad Parnassum Prize with the bassoon trio TriOmph. In 2013 she received the special prize at the international competition in Muri.
In addition to her professorship at the Stella Vorarlberg Private University of Music, she regularly gives master classes in Europe. In the 2013/2014 academic year, she was guest professor of the bassoon class at the Bern University of the Arts and has worked regularly as an audition coach and professional expert at the Zurich University of the Arts since 2016.
Heidrun Wirth-Metzler studied with Allen Smith in Vorarlberg and with Richard Galler in Vienna, where she graduated with honors. In addition, she received in 2011 the mdw-Appreciation Award from the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. Her study of historic bassoon followed with Alberto Grazzi in Mailand.
She plays a modern Heckel bassoon from 2011 and two replicas by P. de Koningh – a baroque bassoon after J.H. Eichentopf (Leipzig), and a classical bassoon after J. H. Grenser (Dresden).
