Funky Beat - chromatic harmonica

Willi Burger was born in Milan (I) but he is German. He studied in Italy and in Germany. He developed a passion for the chromatic harmonica in classical music and it was here that his intuition for the surprising quality and possibilities of this instrument transformed him into a virtuoso player of interpretation and technique.

He was invited by the "Fédération Internationale de Harmonica" to take part in the Winterthur competition, where he was proclaimed winner with unanimous consent, amazing the international jury with his extraordinary virtuosity. Sebastian, Adler, Reilly admired his technical talent, his melodic style and his peculiar timbre. In his career he has played in duets with Ballista, Muller, Anzaghi and as soloist with many Orchestras. He has given distinguished concert performances in the Palacio of Music in Barcelona and in the Konzert-Haus in Nürnberg. In 2003 he played in Rome at Quirinale (Concerti del Quirinale) with Piccola Sinfonica Orchestra of Milano (Gordon Jacob: “Suite of five pièces for chromatic harmonica and strings”) which was broadcasted live by RAI. At radio they ask him for an encore! In 2004 he teached at the first Italian course for chromatic harmonica. He usually performs as a guest in an orchestra and, has for several years, been playing in duo with the pianist Marcello Parolini. In Italy, Abbado (“Fantasia e fuga for harmonica solo”), Reverberi (“Suite per armonica ed archi”, “Concerto n.1 and Concerto n. 2 for harmonica e orchestra”), Bandel (“Apoteosi”, "Funky Beat"), Còggiola (“Sentieri blu”), Cattaneo (“Umleitung”), etc. have written music for Willi Burger.

In FRANCE He played at the Gala Concert of the Ier Festival International d’Harmonica at Auxerre (F) on May 2006.

In ASIA At the 6th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival on August 2006 he was Master performer and he performed in 3 concerts: Classical harmonica night, Judge Concert and Gala Concert and he was entirely successful. August 10 he teached at a Masterclass and a Seminar and he performed at a concert at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is Member of Examination panel for Diploma Harmonica Examination (NUS).

ALBUMS He has several Albums to his credit: "Harmonica", “Harmonica Impressions", "French Compositions", “Images” “Music from Spain and South America”, EUCLED 2005,

"Classical Chromarmonica" EUCLED 2006.

Burger, a versatile artist also in the figurative arts, has refined the chromatic harmonica and adapted it for many musical solutions. With his wonderful transcripions (Transkriptionen für Harmonika) he constantly widens his repertoire. Harmonica AMADEUS Harmonica “Amadeus”, Hohner’s top model, has Burger’s signature engraved on the instrument. Many harmonica players, in their professional curriculum, are proud to say that they were among Willi Burger’s pupils.