Gareth Lubbe

Gareth Lubbe, a South African-born multi-instrumentalist and overtone singer, is an internationally recognized soloist and chamber musician known for his versatility and collaborations across genres. He was principal violist of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig under Riccardo Chailly from 2007 to 2014 before becoming Professor of Viola at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, succeeding Vladimir Mendelssohn.

As a chamber musician, Gareth performs with renowned artists such as Boris Brovtsyn, Janine Jansen, Mischa Maisky, Pinchas Zukerman, and Dame Evelyn Glennie in major venues like Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie, Wigmore Hall, and Suntory Hall. Beyond instrumental performance, he is a polyphonic singer, incorporating overtone singing into his work, and has taught the technique worldwide, including at the Juilliard School.

His chamber music recordings can be found on Naxos, Signum, and BIS. His work with composer and trombonist Nils Wogram earned the German Jazz Prize for Best Instrumental Album in 2022. He maintains strong ties to South Africa as a board member of Community H.E.A.R.T., founded by anti-apartheid activist Dr. Denis Goldberg.