Klaus Stoll, born in May 1943 in Rheydt / Germany, first played the violin, but at the age of twelve started playing the double bass which he was taught by his father Karl Stoll. During studies with Heinz Detering in Cologne he became a member of the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker in 1959. Six years later he joined the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, became co-principal bassist in 1967 and, finally, in 1992, he became first soloist of this world famous orchestra. In addition to his frequent appearances as soloist he has a long and worldwide career as chamber musician. Stoll premiered more than sixty new works for double bass solo and appeared at many renowned festivals (Salzburg, Lucerne, Aldeburgh, Helsinki, Echternach, Santander, Rheingau, Tokyo, etc.). Klaus Stoll particulary works since about twelve years with the Berlin Philharmonic Ensemble ''Berliner Barocksolisten'' and periodically together with great musicians like Heinz Holliger, Maurice Bourgue, Emanuel Pahud, Andras Schiff, Bruno Canino, Rainer Kussmaul, Christiane Jaccotet, Thomas Zehetmair, Nicolaus Harnoncourt etc. He has taught at the ''Hochschule der Kuenste'' ( HdK / UdK ) in Berlin from 1980 to 2000, as professor at the ''Hochschule Mozarteum'' in Salzburg from 1991 to 1998 and, since 199,2 he exclusively teaches at the ''Academy of Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra''. He regulary held courses and masterclasses in Italy (Milano, Ferrara, Fiesole), in Japan (PMF), for ten years between 1988 and 2004 at the ''Carl-Flesch-Academy'' in Baden-Baden, from 1991 to 1997 the summer academies in Salzburg and since 2003 he teaches at the ''Instrumenta'' in Puebla and Oaxaca/Mexico. Klaus Stoll is appointed professor h.c. of the ''Shanghai Conservatory of Music'' since 2005 and has taught in 18 countries of Europe, Asia and both Americas. Since 2002, Klaus Stoll and his wife Ofelia hold courses and classes together in both main techniques, the French and the German Bow, and in their languages German, English and Spanish for professional and junior bassists.

German double bass player. He studied at the Musikhochschule in Cologne with Heinz Detering and in 1959 became a member of the Niederrheinische Sinfoniker. He joined the Berlin PO in 1965, becoming principal bass in 1992. He was appointed professor at the Salzburg Mozarteum in 1990. As a soloist Stoll has given many first performances, including Skalkottas’s Double Bass Concerto and double concertos (for cello and bass) by Helmut Eder and Harald Genzmer. In 1981, together with the cellist Jörg Baumann, he formed the Philharmonisches Duo Berlin, which until 1994 (when ill health cut short Baumann’s career) gave over 600 performances worldwide; the duo also recorded extensively and commissioned and arranged numerous works, 25 of which were published in a series edited by Stoll, Repertoire Philharmonisches Duo Berlin (Berlin, 1981–8). Stoll has also appeared with such artists as Heinz Holliger, Viktoria Mullova, Ruggiero Ricci and András Schiff in duos and other chamber music. He plays a 1610 Maggini bass and, for Baroque repertory, a violone by Giovanni Grancino. His light-handed virtuosity is one of the most striking features of his playing.