Holger Speck teaches singing and directs the vocal ensemble at the Karlsruhe University of Music. This complements the vocal training of students with a view to qualifying them for professional work in independent ensembles, radio or theatre choirs. He also works as artistic director of the Grammy-nominated, internationally renowned Vocalensemble Rastatt (www.vocalensemble-rastatt.de). Holger Speck enjoys an excellent reputation as a charismatic conductor, teacher and singer, competent in many styles.
His lively and compelling interpretations are convincing both in the studio and on the podium. Their characteristics are above all authenticity, stylistically adequate means of presentation, an illuminated historical context, as well as a pronounced sensuality of sound. The American Record Guide writes about the Vocalensemble Rastatt "his sound is akin to pure gold", the "Fanfare magazine" (USA) attests him an "undeniable authorithy". His numerous CD recordings on the Carus, Deutsche Grammophon and Capriccio labels have received international attention and excellent reviews (e.g. at: Fono Forum, Grammophone, American Record Guide, Fanfare, L'Orfeo, Pizzicato, Diapason, Classicstoday, Diverdi, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg). The baroque orchestra "Les Favorites" is also under his direction.
Holger Speck gives guest performances with the Radio Choir Zagreb, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra Ljubljana, the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, the Schwetzinger Festspiele, the Festival Rheinvokal of the SWR, the "Heidelberger Frühling", the Philharmonie in Mulhouse, the Staatstheater Karlsruhe or the Wartburgkonzerte of the Deutschlandfunk Kultur. As a guest lecturer, he teaches in Rio de Janeiro at the Brazilian-German Music Festival, among others. At the Hamburg State Opera, he conducted John Neumeier's anniversary production of "Dona nobis pacem" to J. S. Bach's Mass in B Minor with the Vocalensemble Rastatt and Ensemble Resonanz in front of more than 10,000 visitors. He also realises productions for SWR, Deutschlandfunk Kultur Berlin, Deutschlandfunk Cologne.