The Swiss clarinetist, Ernesto Molinari, was born in Lugano, Switzerland in 1956.  He studied clarinet in Basel and bass clarinet in Amsterdam and is an accomplished soloist on each of the instruments in the clarinet family. Numerous compositions have been composed especially for him, and his fearless approach to playing has inspired a new generation of clarinet players. He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at renowned music festivals (Salzburg, Paris, Lucerne, Berlin, etc.) throughout Europe and around the world and is at home with classical music as well as contemporary music and jazz. From 1994 to 2005 he was clarinetist in the Viennese ensemble of soloists Klangforum Wien. Presently professor for clarinet, bass clarinet, chamber music, contemporary music and improvisation at the Bern University of the Arts (Switzerland), Ernesto Molinari has also been teaching at the International Music Institute in Darmstadt since 2000 as