No matter where he tours he is praised for his charismatic musicianship and his ability to tell vivid stories with the instrument: Musikverein Vienna, Suntory Hall/Tokyo, Wigmore Hall/London, Philharmonie/Berlin, Lucerne, La Roque d´Antheron and Stars of White Nights Festival St.Petersburg are only a few venues and festivals he has performed. He has played with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic London, Tokyo Symphony, Mariinsky Orchestra under Valery Gergiev, Sir Neville Marriner, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Jukka Pekka Saraste, Fabio Luisi, Philippe Jordan a.o. His love affair with the unusual ensure the development of sensational events outside the classical repertoire: Scurdia - a project which brings together extraordinary musicians from all over the world. For his exceptional artistry Markus Schirmer was awarded with numerous prizes including the German Record Critics’ Award. In addition to his work as a successful Professor of Piano at the Music University in Graz – many of his students are acclaimed prizewinners - Markus Schirmer regularly gives international masterclasses for piano and is a sought after adjudicator at several prestigious piano competitions. Furthermore he is the artistic director of the international music festival ARSONORE located in Eggenberg Castle (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage) in Graz/Austria. Visit Markus Schirmer at the internet: www.markusschirmer.at / www.arsonore.at