Liceu Cambra Masterclasses & Concerts is an emblem of musical excellence and a meeting point for the exchange of knowledge with some of the most outstanding performers and creators on the international scene. In this tenth edition, the cycle reaffirms itself as one of the most relevant initiatives in its field, once again becoming a reference space for students of the Conservatori Liceu and renowned masters, as well as an unmissable event for music lovers in Barcelona who seek to enjoy the highest quality artistic performances.
This masterclass will be taught by Xavier Larsson, a Catalan saxophonist known for his extraordinary versatility, technical ability, and expressiveness. He is recognized for his performances full of sensitivity and for his great sonic richness, both in classical and contemporary repertoires.
He began his musical journey in Ciutadella de Menorca, where he initially studied violin and saxophone. He continued his studies with Albert Julià at the Centre Superior Conservatori Liceu, where he received the Extraordinary Prize. His musical education concluded at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, with a Konzertexamen degree under the guidance of Daniel Gauthier, as well as a master’s degree in New Music under the direction of David Smeyers.
He has been a recipient of Hezekiah Wardwell scholarships from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the Fundació Música Ferrer-Salat, the Fundació Agustí Pedro i Pons, the Märkische Kulturstiftung in Lüdenscheid and the Alfred Toepfer in Hamburg.
As a soloist, he has performed on prestigious stages around the world, including the Köln Philharmonie, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Frankfurt Alte Oper, Musikverein in Vienna, Palau de la Música Catalana, Auditorio Nacional de Madrid and the Chicago Cultural Center. He has collaborated with conductors such as Ingo Metzmacher, Francesc Prat, Stefan Blunier, Paul Mann, Mario Kiosk and Vanich Potavanich.
Larsson’s solo performances have earned him first prizes in several national and international music competitions, including the International Classical Wind Festival 2016 in Germany, SaxoVoce 2016 in France, Intermusica 2014 in Austria, Michal Spisak 2014 in Poland, Concurso Internacional de Saxofón Lodz 2012 in Poland and the Concurso Permanente Jóvenes Intérpretes Juventudes Musicales 2009 in Spain.
His achievements in chamber music include first prizes at the August Everding Musikwettbewerb 2021 in Germany, the 20th International Chamber Music Competition in Illzach, France (2017), Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Hochschulwettbewerb 2014 in Germany and the Karlsruher Wettbewerb für die Interpretation Neue Musik 2014 in Germany, as well as the Coop Musik Prize in 2014 in Italy.
He is a member of the Fukio Quartet and the Trio SpiegelBild, and also participates as a violinist in several projects with the OCIM Chamber Orchestra. In addition, he conducted the Saxophone Ensemble of the Fundació Conservatori Liceu from 2016 to 2023.
His CD recordings produced by Columna Música and Ars Produktion include compositions by artists such as Georg Friedrich Haas, Caroline Shaw, Fabien Lévy, Robin Hofmann, Bruno Mantovani and Edison Denisov.
He currently holds teaching positions at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin and the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln.
Liceu Cambra – Masterclasses & Concerts series has the patronage of Ferrer-Salat Music Foundation.