Bertold Stecher, born in 1987 in Schlanders, South Tyrol, Italy, is a distinguished trumpeter known for his contributions to both orchestral and chamber music. He began his musical journey at the age of ten, receiving his first trumpet lessons at the Obervinschgau Music School under Anton Stecher. From 2002 to 2007, he attended the music high school in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria, where he completed his secondary education. Concurrently, he studied trumpet at the Vorarlberg State Conservatory with Professor Lothar Hilbrand, earning his bachelor’s degree with distinction in 2009. He furthered his studies at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg under Professor Hans Gansch, obtaining a master’s degree in Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy in 2012, graduating with the highest honors.
Stecher’s early orchestral experience includes performances with prominent youth ensembles such as the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO), the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra (GMJO), and the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival Orchestra. These opportunities allowed him to collaborate with renowned conductors and perform in prestigious concert halls worldwide.
Professionally, from 2012 to 2017, Stecher served as the principal trumpet of the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento. He then held the position of principal trumpet at the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 2017 until July 2022. In August 2022, he joined the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as the second trumpet.
Throughout his career, Stecher has performed with esteemed orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, the Orchestra of La Scala Milan, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, and the Mozarteumorchester Salzburg. He is also an active chamber musician and has been a member of the brass ensemble PROBrass since 2011.
In addition to his performance career, Stecher is dedicated to education. He has conducted masterclasses in Ireland, Italy, and Austria, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with students. Since April 2022, he has served as a lecturer for trumpet at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock. He also joined the faculty of the Anton Rubinstein International Music Academy in Berlin in the summer semester of 2022.