Based in Vienna, Sophie Hassfurther has made a name for herself as a versatile instrumentalist on the saxophone, flute, and clarinet, as well as a performer and composer for ensembles in various musical contexts. Her work as a leader, praised by the international press for its power, authenticity and interplay, has been called an “intense and different experience” (London Jazz News).
Growing up near Salzburg/Austria, her studies have led her to Amsterdam, Vienna and New York. Career highlights include domestic and international concerts with Peter Herbert, Marianne Mendt, mathias rüegg, Gerry Hemingway, Wolter Wierbos, Sean Bergin and Simon Nabatov. Sophie performed as part of the stage orchestra in the prestigious Jedermann play at the Salzburg Festival from 2013 to 2020.
Her musical journey brought her to perform in various venues and festivals in Europe and abroad, among others the Jazzfestival Saalfelden, North Sea Jazz Festival, bimhuis Amsterdam, Nardis Jazz Club Istanbul, and included collaborations with musicians from South Africa, India, Latin America, Africa and the USA.
As a composer, she received several grants from the federal chancellery of Austria and the City of Vienna, enabling her to realize compositions for her own projects most recently, a trio suite premiered at the Outreach Festival, various quartet pieces found on her debut album Orient Express, as well as a composition for large ensembles. She has written music for theater projects in various line-ups, and is frequently asked to contribute compositions to the repertoire of bands she performs in.
Sophie teaches at Klangwerk Wien and is available for private lessons.