Philippe Schartz is one of the most exciting trumpeters of today. Born in Luxembourg, he developed an early interest in the trumpet from listening to his father play in the village wind band. His passion was cultivated by his teachers who have included Dino Tomba, a great friend and mentor. He continued his studies at the Royal College of Music in London with David Mason, then was invited to join the Special Student programme at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. A winner of many prizes and awards, he has developed a highly successful career as an orchestral and a chamber musician as well as a soloist. As a member of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and as Principal Trumpet, until summer 2002, of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and, currently, of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, he has performed to much critical acclaim under conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Pierre Boulez and Bernard Haitink. He has given recitals and performed as concert soloist all over Europe, in addition to issuing four CDs. He has also been broadcast on the BBC and numerous European radio and television networks. An enthusiastic member of the teaching staff at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Philippe Schartz has given master-classes and educational workshops at the Royal College of Music, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and the School of Music and Sonic Arts at Queen’s University Belfast, among others.