Sophie Hassfurther stands as a vibrant force in the contemporary improvised music scene, seamlessly merging both classical and jazz backgrounds with her deep commitment to improvisation and experimentation. Based in Vienna, she is an accomplished performer on saxophone, flute, and clarinet, and is equally active as a composer, bandleader, and collaborator. Her work moves fluidly between composition and improvisation, exploring sound as a space for dialogue, risk, and transformation.
Raised in the serene countryside near Salzburg, Sophie was immersed in music from a young age. She went on to study at some of the world’s top music institutions in Amsterdam, Vienna and New York, where she developed a distinctive musical style. Her sound is unmistakable, with an impressive range from rich, full-bodied tones to sharp, incisive passages.
Over the past years, Hassfurther has become an important presence within the European improvised music scene. She has received multiple grants and composition scholarships from the Austrian Federal Chancellery and the City of Vienna, and her work has been presented at festivals including Wien Modern, Basklarinet Festijn in Rotterdam and Germany’s Moers Festival, and she regularly creates music for theatre and interdisciplinary productions.
In recent years, her artistic network has expanded strongly across France, the Netherlands and Germany through collaborations with prominent figures in the European avantgarde and improvisation scene. She performs with the transnational ensemble Vostok alongside Vincent Courtois, Guus Janssen, and Fie Schouten. Her long-standing collaboration with Amsterdam-based bass clarinetist Oğuz Büyükberber led to the critically acclaimed duo project Mind Like Water, while more recent projects include collaborations with German saxophonist Frank Gratkowski, drummer Sofia Borges and clarinetist Fie Schouten.
Alongside these international collaborations, she continues to develop her own large-ensemble work through the cross-generational octet Kaleidoscope, bringing together musicians from Austria and abroad in a vibrant exploration of contemporary composition and collective improvisation.
As both a leader and ensemble musician, Hassfurther is recognized for performances that combine emotional depth with fearless improvisational interplay. Publications including Jazz Podium, London Jazz News, and ORF Ö1 have praised the intensity, subtlety, and authenticity of her artistic voice. Her discography spans projects ranging from contemporary chamber jazz to experimental and cross-genre collaborations, consistently reflecting a curiosity for new forms, sounds, and artistic encounters.
Driven by curiosity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to artistic exploration, Sophie Hassfurther continues to expand the possibilities of improvised music, creating work that is adventurous, socially aware, and deeply human.