Simon Wascher
Born and raised in Oberoesterreich in a family known for its folk music tradition, Simon Wascher studied hurdy gurdy with Valentin Clastrier, Gilles Chabenat, Matthias Loibner, and Riccardo Delfino. He has specialized in the hurdy gurdy since 1987. Wascher’s concert activities range throughout Europe with Rundgeiger, Bilwesz and Alpenland Meets Ostseestrand. He has collaborated and made a CD recording with the L’Orfeo Baroque Orchestra, and has appeared as the hurdy gurdy player at the Vienna State Opera in the production of Linda de Chamounix. Wacher received First Place at the competition in St. Chartier in 2003. Currently, he is an Instructor for several classes for hurdy gurdy, and ensemble in Austria as well as abroad. He is involved in research on the history of the hurdy gurdy in Austria, and about rural dance musicians and manuscripts of the 18th century. From 1993 to 2001, Simon Wascher has served as director and chairman of the BordunMusik-Fest in Kremsmuenster. He is an editor and publisher of music for the hurdy gurdy and for the online magazine Abwegslung.