When he was six years old, Matthias Höfs declared the trumpet “his instrument, because it shines so nicely”. He received his musical education from Professor Peter Kallensee at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, and from Professor Konradin Groth at the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. When just 18 years of age, he was engaged as solo trumpeter at the Philharmonic State Orchestra in Hamburg, where he enjoyed the fascinating world of opera for 16 years. At the same time, Höfs became a member of the German Brass ensemble, with whom he continues to achieve worldwide success. Since their first joint concert in 1985, he has written tailored arrangements for himself and his colleagues which span more than one genre and continue to inspire the world of brass.
Matthias Höfs has always shown a pioneering spirit, and thus has consistently widened the horizon of his instrument, either by close cooperation with other composers, who feel themselves inspired by his incomparable virtuosity and joy of experimentation, or as “trumpet ambassador” in his home state of Schleswig- Holstein in northern Germany, or in cooperation with the instrument makers Max and Heinrich Thein. Since 2000 Matthias Höfs has been teaching as professor at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, where he inspires his students with great enthusiasm, knowing how to pass on his passion for his instrument. In addition to his extensive concert performances as solo trumpeter and chamber musician, Höfs has produced numerous solo CDs, and jointly with German Brass, more than 20 recordings.
In October 2016 German Brass was awarded with the ECHO-Klassik – one of the most important awards for national and international musicians.
