Willi Burger was born in Milan (I) but he is German. He studied in Italy and in Germany. He developed a passion for the  chromatic harmonica in classical music and it was here that his intuition for the surprising quality and possibilities of this instrument transformed him into a virtuoso player of interpretation and technique.

He was invited  by the "Fédération Internationale de Harmonica" to take part in  the Winterthur competition, where he was proclaimed winner with unanimous consent, amazing the international jury with his extraordinary virtuosity. Sebastian, Adler, Reilly admired his technical talent, his melodic style and his peculiar timbre.

   In his career he has played in duets with Ballista, Muller, Anzaghi and as soloist with many Orchestras. He has given  distinguished concert performances in the Palacio of Music in Barcelona and in the Konzert-Haus in Nürnberg.

WILLI BURGER BROADCASTED LIVE BY ITALIAN RADIO

   In 2003 he played in Rome at Quirinale (Concerti del Quirinale) with Piccola Sinfonica Orchestra of Milano (Gordon Jacob: “Suite of five pièces for chromatic harmonica and strings”) which was broadcasted live by RAI.

At radio they ask him for an encore! In 2004 he teached at the first Italian course for chromatic harmonica.

He usually performs as a guest in an orchestra and, has  for several years, been playing in duo with the pianist Marcello Parolini.

In Italy, Abbado (“Fantasia e fuga for harmonica solo”), Reverberi (“Suite per  armonica ed archi”, “Concerto n.1 and Concerto n. 2 for harmonica e orchestra”), Bandel (“Apoteosi”, "Funky Beat"), Còggiola (“Sentieri blu”), Cattaneo (“Umleitung”), etc. have written music for Willi Burger.

WILLI BURGER IN FRANCE

   He played at the Gala Concert of the Ier Festival International d’Harmonica at Auxerre (F) on May 2006.

WILLI BURGER IN ASIA

   At the 6th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival on August 2006 he was Master performer and he performed in 3 concerts: Classical harmonica night, Judge Concert and Gala Concert and he was entirely successful.

WILLI BURGER IN SINGAPORE

   August 10 he teached at a Masterclass and a Seminar and he performed at a concert at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is Member of Examination panel for Diploma Harmonica Examination (NUS).

WILLI BURGER: ALBUMS

   He has several Albums to his credit: "Harmonica", “Harmonica Impressions", "French Compositions", “Images” and “Music from Spain and South America”, EUCLED 2005, "Classical Chromarmonica" EUCLED 2006.

Burger, a versatile artist also in the figurative arts, has refined the chromatic harmonica and adapted it for many musical solutions. With his wonderful transcripions (Transkriptionen für Harmonika) he constantly widens his repertoire.

WILLI BURGER DESIGNED HARMONICA AMADEUS

   Harmonica “Amadeus”, Hohner’s top model, has Burger’s signature engraved on the instrument. Click on the link here