Heidri Faber

“…It wasn’t only the technical perfection, the absolutely perfect phrasing or the sheer beauty of sound, it simply was one of those rare occasions when everything was right.” Prof. Rupert Mayr in the Herald, South Africa

Heidri Faber, a second generation musician, discovered the beauty and transforming power of music growing up in South Africa. Since her clarinet debut at the South African Feather Market Hall at the age of nine, Heidri has aspired to communicate through her music on a deep emotional level. Her passion has resulted in exhilarating performances across the world, from the Palau de la Musica in Valencia Spain, Konserthuset in Norway, the Lake District Summer Music Festival in the UK, to playing Mozart´s Clarinet Concerto in the heart of South Africa´s Karoo desert at the Tankwa Classics Music Festival. She also had the privilege of performing before both President Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II in South Africa.

Heidri played as soloist with various orchestras, including the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Academy Symphony Orchestra. As orchestral musician, she played in the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, Norsk Kammeropera (Norwegian Chamber Opera), Det Norske Blåseensemble (Norwegian Wind Ensemble), Forsvarets Stabsmusikkorps (Norwegian Armed Forces), Sjøforsvarets Musikkorps, Cape Town Philharmonic and the ICEJ Orchestra in Israel. In addition, she was principal clarinettist in the Norwegian Youth Symphony Orchestra under Michael Jurowski.

Heidri is an avid chamber musician and regularly performs in various ensemble combinations internationally. She toured extensively in Norway and Israel as a member of the opera ensemble, Glorioso Classico. She was also an active member of the contemporary music ensemble at the Norwegian Academy. Most recently, she premiered and recorded a trio by Norwegian composer, Kjell Marcussen.

Heidri studied under the tutelage of Hans Christian Bræin at the Norwegian Academy where she graduated with a Masters in Solo Performance and Chamber Music. Prior to her studies in Norway, she studied with Johan de Doncker at the University of Cape Town where she obtained a BMus Honours degree Cum Laude. In addition, she holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Stellenbosch. She has received various awards, including the Honours Council Scholarship from the University of Cape Town and the Olaug Pettersens Scholarship from Norway. To further her artistic development as chamber musician and soloist, she enjoyed instruction and master classes with various renowned musicians including Andrew Marriner, Walter Boeykens, Petko Radev, Mark van der Wiel and Michael Collins.

Through Heidri´s current teaching vocation at the Bærum Culture School in Norway and conducting master classes and workshops in South Africa, she is dedicated to investing in future generations.

Heidri plays on Zenit clarinets paired with James Kanter mouthpieces and is honoured to be the first South African clarinettist to join the Uebel artist family.

“Our Philharmonics willingly followed her lead and echoed the various phrases she so beautifully shaped. While impeccable technique and masterful colour contrasts guaranteed the success of the two Allegro movements, exemplary breath control and perfect timing made the Adagio the musical climax of a performance that may well be comparable to the best heard anywhere in the world.” Prof. Rupert Mayr in The Herald on her performance of the Mozart Clarinet Concerto