Martin Heinze’s first love was jazz. He chose the double bass because the string instrument’s dark, earthy sound corresponded more closely to his own temperament. His teacher Hans-Günther Hilger not only awakened an enthusiasm for classical music in the then 16-year-old, he also encouraged him to become a professional musician. In 1984 he began his music studies at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen. After taking a master class from Klaus Stoll he decided to continue his studies in Berlin. At the age of 22 he was engaged as a double bass in the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and in 1993 he moved to the Berliner Philharmoniker. As a chamber player and soloist he is active in a variety of ways, for example in the ensemble KlangArt. While playing in the Chamber Orchestra of Europe he met Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who inspired him to explore historical performance practice. In addition, the musician is committed to the younger generation as an instructor for the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. His extra-musical interests include the visual arts, in particular contemporary works and Flemish and Dutch painting of the 15th to 17th centuries. Performed at the festival in 2008.