Tour Dates: 17 Jul - 28 Jul, 2008

Friedrich Pfatschbacher - clarinet
Adolf Wachter - clarinet
Klaus Mühlthaler - clarinet
Jörg Eixelsberger - clarinet
Jens Eixelsberger - clarinet

The Ensemble-Woodwind (music for five clarinets) was founded in the autumn of 2001 in Mautern/Styria. Awards in national competitions - including Austria and Liechtenstein. The programme from the Ensemble is a varied and fascinating panorama of arrangements and original compositions for clarinet quintet, drawing on the classics and the baroque and romantic period, as well as including a small, interesting cross-section of swing and contemporary music. The musicians who make up Ensemble-Woodwind first met in the autumn of 2001 on the occasion of the National Competition for Wind Ensembles. The performers enjoyed their rehearsals and concerts so much that they decided to work together on a permanent basis. Listeners have deemed our performances unconventional, enjoyable, perfect and attention grabbing. “Ensemble Woodwind - Music for five clarinets” feels at home just about anywhere.

Friedrich Pfatschbacher

Studied under Professor Alfred Rosé at the Graz College of Music. Postgraduate Studies (1999-2004) “Musicology” with Univ. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Suppan at the Graz University. Graduation "Doctor of Philosophy”. Clarinet soloist with the Wind Band Donawitz/Styria since 2003. Director of Music and Teacher for Clarinet at the Mautern Music School. Participation at the National Competition for Wind and Percussion Ensembles 2002 with excellent success. He has performed regularly as a soloist and in chamber ensembles.  Founder of the Ensemble Woodwind and President of the Austrian Clarinet Society.

Adolf Wachter

Since 1988-1997: Studies on chemical Engineering at Technical University Graz. Since 1997: Key Account manager and sales manager for Voith Paper Board & Packaging Division in Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Turkey. Studied at the Mautern Music School. Clarinet and Saxophone soloist of the Wind and Big-Band Mautern. Founder member of the Ensemble Woodwind since 1995.

Klaus Mühlthaler

Studied at the Knittelfeld Music School. Conductor of the Brass Band Gall since 2002. Graduation in the major subject Clarinet at the Music School of Knittelfeld in 1999 with excellent success. Military service at Military Music Corps of Vienna. Studies at the University of Music in Graz/Styria since 2001 with Prof. Mag. Bertram Egger. Graduation 2005: “Bachelor of Arts”. 2007: Graduation “Master of Arts”. Member of the “Ensemble Woodwind” since 2006 and founder member of the Austrian Clarinet Society.

Jörg Eixelsberger

Studied at the Mautern Music School and Graz University of Music with Prof. Bertram Egger. 2002: Master Class with Prof. Alfred Prinz (former Member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra) 2003: Master Class with Prof. Karlheinz Miklin (Professor at the Jazz-Institute in Graz) Master Class with Prof. Helmut Wiener (Assistant at the University of Music in Vienna and Member of the Niederösterreichisches Tonkünstler-Orchestra") Since 2004 studies with Prof. Wolfgang Klinser at the Oberschützen College of Music. Member of the Brass Band in Mautern/Styria since 1992. Member of the Ensemble Woodwind since 1996. Participation at the National Competition for Wind and Percussion Ensembles 2002 with excellent success. He has extensive experience in various orchestras including Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra and Vienna Chamber Orchestra. Member of the Vienna Jeunesse-Orchestra. Founder member of the Austrian Clarinet Society.

Jens Eixelsberger

Studied under Friedrich Pfatschbacher at the Mautern Music School (1992-1999). Graduation in the major subject Clarinet in July 1999 with excellent success. 2000–2002: continuative studies at the Conservatory of Music in Graz/Styria with Prof. Gerhard Kühnl (Grazer Philharmonic Orchestra) and Prof. Reinhard Uhl. Since 2002: continuative studies at the University of Music in Vienna with Prof. Rupert Fankhauser (substituting member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Clarinet Connection) and Prof. Wolfgang Kornberger (VCC). Leader and tenor saxophone soloist since 2003 of the Big Band Mautern/Styria. Member of the Ensemble Woodwind since 2001 with the Bass Clarinet. Participation at the National Competition for Wind and Percussion Ensembles 2002 with excellent success.